In the aftermath of World War I, Western Australia faced an unexpected enemy that would test the might of its military forces. The adversary wasn’t a foreign army or rebel force but rather a massive group of native emus wreaking havoc on local farmlands.
The year was 1932, and Western Australian farmers were already struggling with falling wheat prices and challenging harvest conditions. These difficulties intensified when thousands of emus began migrating inland from coastal areas, drawn by the promise of abundant crops. The large flightless birds moved in organized groups, demonstrating surprising tactical abilities that would later frustrate military efforts.
Credit: The Emu War – Footnoting History
These feathered invaders stood up to 6.2 feet tall and could sprint at impressive speeds. Their ability to withstand multiple bullet hits and their unpredictable movement patterns made them formidable opponents. Local farmers, many of them former soldiers, desperately called upon the government to take military action against the estimated 20,000 emus destroying their crops.
The military response came in the form of Major G.P.W. Meredith, who led the campaign with two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. The soldiers were confident that this would be a quick and easy operation. However, the emus proved to be surprisingly resilient and intelligent adversaries.
Credit: The Collector
The first attempt to engage the emus in battle resulted in embarrassing failure. The birds split into small groups and scattered, making it impossible for the soldiers to target them effectively. The Lewis guns jammed frequently, and the emus seemed to shrug off bullets that did manage to hit them.
Despite multiple attempts and different tactical approaches, the military operation faced continuous setbacks. The emus appeared to have leaders who acted as sentries, warning their groups of approaching danger. They developed a frustrating habit of staying just out of range of the guns while continuing to damage crops.
The campaign ended in defeat for the military after just a few days. Major Meredith reported that his men had used 2,500 rounds of ammunition to kill only about 50-200 emus. The resilient birds had essentially outmaneuvered a modern military force, leading to widespread mockery in the press and earning the conflict its memorable nickname The Great Emu War.
Looking back, this unusual campaign stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of human-wildlife conflicts. The failed military operation against the emus eventually led to more practical solutions, including the construction of exclusion fencing and the development of more effective pest management strategies.
References:
Emu War – Wikipedia – link
The Emu War – Footnoting History – link
When Birds Outsmarted the Army: The Emu War – link
Categories: Australian History, Do you know, Historical Events, Military History, Wildlife Conflicts
Tags: Australian History, Emu War, Farming Crisis, Military History, Unusual Wars, Western Australia, wildlife conflict
Religion: None
Country of Origin: Australia
Topic: Historical Events
Ethnicity: None
