The Great Emu War: When Australia’s Military Faced Off Against Flightless Birds
In the annals of military history, few conflicts are as bizarre as Australia’s Great Emu War of 1932. This peculiar episode pitted the nation’s armed forces against an unlikely foe – large flightless birds native to the continent. While it may sound farcical, the Emu War was a very real and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to curb a growing emu population that was wreaking havoc on farms in Western Australia.
A Conflict Hatches
The roots of this confrontation can be traced back to the aftermath of World War I. As part of a soldier settlement scheme, the Australian government allocated land in Western Australia’s wheat belt to veterans returning from the war. These ex-soldiers turned farmers faced numerous challenges, including drought and falling wheat prices during the Great Depression.
To make matters worse, a new threat emerged in the form of some 20,000 emus. These large birds, migrating inland after their breeding season, discovered the farmers’ crops and began feasting. The emus not only devoured and trampled the wheat but also damaged fences, allowing rabbits and other pests to enter the fields.
A Casualty in the Emu War – One of the birds shot by the machine gun party sent to rid Campion (W.A) wheat growers of droves of Emus that were damaging crops – https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/104212702
Killing two birds with one bullet
Desperate for a solution, the farmers appealed to the government for help. Given that many of the settlers were former military men, they suggested a rather drastic approach – deploying soldiers with machine guns to cull the emu population.
Sir George Pearce, the Minister of Defense saw an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone (pun intended) – address the farmers’ concerns while providing some real-world target practice for his troops.
The Emu War Begins
On November 2, 1932, the operation officially commenced. Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery led a small armed party of the 7th Heavy Battery, R.A.A, accompanied by Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. O’Halloran. Their arsenal consisted of Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
The soldiers were confident that their superior firepower would make quick work of the avian invaders. However, they soon discovered that emus were far more formidable opponents than they had anticipated.
Unexpected Challenges
The first attempt to engage the emus ended in failure. The birds, displaying an uncanny ability to scatter and evade gunfire, proved to be elusive targets. Major Meredith noted with frustration that the emus seemed to possess an almost supernatural capacity to withstand multiple gunshot wounds.
If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds it would face any army in the world … They can face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. They are like Zulus whom even dum-dum bullets could not stop.
Major Meredith
In a particularly humiliating incident, the soldiers attempted to ambush a group of about 1,000 emus near a dam. Just as they were about to open fire, the Lewis gun jammed, allowing most of the birds to escape unscathed.
Undeterred by these initial setbacks, Major Meredith adapted his tactics. He mounted one of the machine guns on a truck, hoping to pursue the emus more effectively. However, this strategy also proved unsuccessful. The truck was too slow to keep up with the speedy birds, and the rough terrain made accurate shooting nearly impossible.
As the days wore on, the soldiers’ frustration grew. Major Meredith, impressed by the emus’ resilience, remarked, “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds, it would face any army in the world. They can face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks.”
A Humiliating Retreat
After about a month of fruitless efforts, the military withdrew from the field. The final tally was less than impressive – only 986 emus were confirmed killed, with an additional 2,500 allegedly wounded. These numbers paled in comparison to the 10,000 rounds of ammunition expended.
The press had a field day with the campaign’s failure. One report mockingly stated, “The machine-gunners’ dreams of point blank fire into serried masses of Emus were soon dissipated. The Emu command had evidently ordered guerrilla tactics, and its unwieldy army soon split up into innumerable small units that made use of the military equipment uneconomic.”
Lessons Learned
In the end, the emu problem was more effectively addressed through less dramatic means like fences and bounties. A bounty system called the ‘beak bonus’ system proved far more successful, with farmers claiming over 57,000 emu bounties in just six months.
Today, the Great Emu War stands as a bizarre footnote in Australian history. It continues to capture the imagination, spawning memes, jokes, and there is even a feature film.
Australian Army vs Emus: Top Trumps
Attribute
Australian Army
Emus
Speed
Up to 22 mph (35 km/h) [running speed of average soldier]
Up to 31 mph (50 km/h)
Weight
170-190 lbs (77-86 kg) [average male soldier]
66-121 lbs (30-55 kg)
Height
5’7″ – 6’1″ (170-185 cm) [average male soldier]
4’9″ – 6’2″ (150-190 cm)
Strength
Can carry loads up to 100 lbs (45 kg)
Powerful kick with sharp claws that can injure predators
Special Abilities
– Use of firearms and vehicles – Strategic planning – Communication equipment
– Excellent eyesight and hearing – Can survive long periods without water – Unpredictable movement patterns
Endurance
Can march long distances with heavy gear
Can travel great distances in search of food and water
Maneuverability
Limited by vehicles and equipment
Highly agile, can change direction quickly
Camouflage
Military uniforms designed for concealment
Natural feather coloration blends with environment
Intelligence
Human-level intelligence, military training
Bird-level intelligence, but surprisingly adaptable
