Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs: Peter Mitchell Essay Competition: 2003

Abstract

Peter Stuckey Mitchell, a grazier, died in 1921 and left funds that form the basis of a trust account known as the Peter Mitchell Trust Fund, to be used to provide prizes ‘to encourage and help the capable, healthy and strong to develop … their natural advantages’. Provision was also made for prizes for navies and armies of the British Commonwealth of Nations. One of these ‘prizes’ is the Peter Mitchell Essay Competition, open to sailors and officers up to Commander rank (05) in Commonwealth navies, with prize money awarded in open, officer and sailor categories.

This volume contains 7 of the 27 entries to the 2003 competition, including the three winning essays, which focus on issues such as classical naval strategy and medium power navies, strategic thoughts on the RAN in the 21st century, constabulary operations, Australian sovereignty and manoeuvre operations in the littoral environment.