In late 1932, Australia faced an unusual enemy: approximately 20,000 emus that were destroying crops in Western Australia. The government’s solution? Deploy the military. What followed became known as the Great Emu War—one of the most bizarre military campaigns in history, and one that the emus decidedly won.
The Background: A Feathered Invasion
Following World War I, Australian soldiers were granted farmland in Western Australia as part of a soldier settlement scheme. These ex-servicemen worked hard to establish wheat farms in the region, but the Great Depression had already devastated wheat prices. As if economic hardship wasn’t enough, farmers faced a new threat in 1932: massive flocks of emus migrating inland from their coastal breeding grounds.
The emus, standing up to 6 feet tall and capable of running at speeds of 30 miles per hour, descended upon the farmlands in enormous numbers. An estimated 20,000 birds invaded the Campion and Walgoolan districts, destroying fences, trampling crops, and consuming the wheat that represented farmers’ only hope of surviving the economic downturn.
Military Intervention: Enter the Machine Guns
The farmers, many of them war veterans themselves, petitioned the Australian government for assistance. Minister of Defence Sir George Pearce agreed to the request, seeing it as an opportunity for military personnel to gain target practice while helping struggling farmers.
In November 1932, the Australian military deployed personnel equipped with two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery was placed in command. The mission seemed straightforward: use superior firepower to eliminate the emu threat.
The Campaign Begins
The military’s first engagement occurred on November 2, 1932. Soldiers spotted a group of approximately 50 emus and prepared to open fire. However, the emus proved far more challenging opponents than anticipated. At the first sound of gunfire, the birds scattered in all directions, running at high speed in a zigzag pattern that made them extremely difficult targets.
Despite firing numerous rounds, the soldiers managed to kill only a handful of birds. The emus seemed to employ guerrilla warfare tactics, splitting into small groups that made them harder to target effectively.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
The campaign attracted significant media attention, much of it satirical. Newspapers ran humorous headlines about the military’s struggle against the flightless birds. The Melbourne Age published commentary suggesting that the emus had “won every round so far” against the soldiers.
After several days of limited success, military command withdrew on November 8, 1932. Reports indicated that fewer than 1,000 emus had been killed despite the use of thousands of rounds.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Great Emu War ended without a formal victory for the Australian military. The government eventually addressed the problem through a bounty system that proved more effective. By 1934, bounty hunters had successfully claimed kills of approximately 57,000 emus.
The event remains one of the most unusual military operations in modern history, serving as a humorous reminder that superior firepower doesn’t guarantee victory against an unconventional opponent.