Imagine a military campaign so bizarre that it would become a legendary tale of human versus wildlife. Welcome to the Great Emu War of 1932 – a truly remarkable moment in Australian history where soldiers armed with machine guns were defeated by… birds!
The Great Emu War – Image credit: The Collector
In the aftermath of World War I, Australia faced significant challenges. Returning veterans were given land in Western Australia’s challenging agricultural regions, hoping to establish farms and rebuild their lives. However, these soldier-settlers soon encountered an unexpected enemy that would test their resolve: thousands of emus.
The Emu Army – Image credit: Footnoting History
The emu invasion was no small problem. Approximately 20,000 of these large, flightless birds descended upon the wheat fields of Western Australia, devastating crops and creating agricultural chaos. Farmers, already struggling with economic hardships, were desperate for help. Their solution? Call in the military!
Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery was tasked with this unusual mission. Armed with two Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition, he and his team set out to cull the emu population. What could possibly go wrong? As it turned out, almost everything!
Deceased emu during Emu War – Image credit: Wikipedia
The first attempts were comically unsuccessful. The emus proved to be surprisingly intelligent and incredibly evasive. Major Meredith later compared them to Zulu warriors, noting that \”if we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds, it would face any army in the world.\” The birds would split into smaller groups, dodge bullets, and seemingly mock the soldiers’ efforts.
During the initial campaign, the soldiers fired thousands of rounds but managed to kill only a handful of emus. The birds’ ability to scatter and their remarkable agility made them nearly impossible targets. One account suggests that the emus had their own tactical leadership, with larger birds seemingly acting as lookouts for the groups.
The Great Emu War Of 1932 – Image credit: IFLScience
After multiple failed attempts, the military was forced to withdraw. The media mockingly dubbed it the \”Emu War,\” and the story became a source of national humor. Major Meredith’s official report noted that his men had suffered no casualties – except perhaps their dignity.
Eventually, the farmers resorted to more practical solutions like barrier fencing and bounty systems. The emus, it seemed, had won the war. Today, the Great Emu War remains a hilarious footnote in military history – a reminder that sometimes nature has its own plans!
This extraordinary tale teaches us a valuable lesson: never underestimate your opponent, especially if that opponent happens to be a group of remarkably cunning, flightless birds!
Categories: Australian History, Historical Events, Military History, Unusual Stories, War History, Wildlife
Tags: Australian History, Farming Crisis, Great Emu War, Military History, Unusual Wars, Western Australia, Wildlife
Religion: None
Country of Origin: Australia
Topic: Historical Events
Ethnicity: None
