In the scorching heat of Western Australia in 1932, an unusual military operation unfolded that would become one of history’s most bizarre conflicts. Three soldiers armed with machine guns faced off against an army of 20,000 emus in what became known as The Great Emu War.
The battlefield was the drought-stricken Campion district, where World War I veterans turned farmers watched helplessly as massive flocks of emus decimated their wheat crops. These weren’t your ordinary farm pests! Standing up to six feet tall and capable of sprinting at 30 miles per hour, these feathered invaders proved to be formidable opponents.
The State Barrier Fence was one of many attempts to control emu populations. Credit: Australian Geographic
Major Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith led the military response, accompanied by Sergeant McMurray and Gunner O’Halloran. Armed with two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition, they were confident in their mission. But the emus had other plans! These crafty birds displayed unexpected tactical prowess, using scattered formations that made them nearly impossible to target.
The First Engagement
The initial battle on November 2nd quickly turned into a comedy of errors. As the soldiers opened fire on a group of 50 emus, the birds split into small groups, zigzagging their way to safety. The military’s trucks couldn’t keep pace with the agile birds on rough terrain, and one vehicle even crashed attempting to pursue them.
One of the few casualties during the military campaign. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The situation became even more embarrassing when the soldiers attempted an ambush at a local water source. Just as thousands of emus came into range, their machine gun jammed! The birds scattered immediately, leaving the frustrated soldiers with empty magazines and wounded pride.
Nature’s Ultimate Victory
Despite firing thousands of rounds, the military operation only managed to take down 986 emus. The birds proved surprisingly resilient, with their tough hides deflecting many bullets. Even more impressive was their military-like organization – each group had a lookout emu that would warn others of approaching danger!
Major Meredith later admitted defeat, famously declaring that the emus could face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. The operation became an international laughingstock, with some members of Parliament suggesting that medals should be awarded to the emus for winning every round of the conflict.
The aftermath of this unusual war led to a more practical solution – bounties for emu hunting. Local farmers claimed 57,000 bounties in just six months, proving that sometimes traditional methods work better than military intervention. Today, these remarkable birds are protected under Australian law, a far cry from their days as public enemy number one.
The Great Emu War stands as a humorous reminder that nature sometimes has a way of outsmarting our most sophisticated plans. These incredible birds didn’t just survive a military campaign – they became legendary symbols of resilience and adaptability in the face of overwhelming odds.
References:
Australian Geographic – Australia’s Emu Wars – link
Wikipedia – Emu War – link
IFLScience – The Great Emu War of 1932 – link
Categories: Australian History, Do you know, Historical Events, Military History, Wildlife
Tags: Australian History, Emu War, Historical Events, Military History, Nature vs Military, Unusual Wars, Western Australia, Wildlife
Religion: None
Country of Origin: Australia
Topic: Historical Events
Ethnicity: None
