The Great Emu War: When Australia Went to Battle Against Birds and Lost

The Great Emu War: When Australia Fought Birds and Lost

In 1932, Australia decided to deal with a big problem. They thought the emus were ruining crops in Western Australia. This issue was severe in Campion district’s Wheatbelt.

The soldiers tried to control the emu numbers. They used Lewis guns, but their efforts were in vain. The emus just kept destroying the crops, surviving the gunfights. This war story is known for its humorous angle. However, it caused real suffering for the farmers who lost everything.

Key Takeaways

• The Great Emu War was a failed military operation in Australia in 1932 to cull the emu population.
• The operation employed Royal Australian Artillery soldiers armed with Lewis guns, but they were unable to effectively target the emus.
• Despite claims of hundreds of emus killed, the overall emu population was minimally impacted.
• The “war” became a source of great public amusement, but it also represented the hardship faced by many farmers who lost their livelihoods.
• The Great Emu War highlights the complexities of human-animal conflicts and the challenges of managing wildlife populations.

Background: Soldier Settlement in Post-World War I Australia

After World War I, the Australian government wanted to help lots of soldiers. They gave them land to farm in Western Australia. This was mainly in areas not great for farming. This was part of a plan to help soldiers get back to civilian life after the war.

Land Grants for War Veterans

The aim was for these veterans to become farmers. They were given land to help bring life back to rural areas. But the land they got was tough to farm. This made it hard for veterans to succeed in agriculture.

Economic Struggles and the Great Depression

Things got even harder after the Great Depression started in 1929.4 The government wanted more wheat but didn’t back up their promises with actual support. Wheat prices dropped, making life very tough for farmers by 1932.

About 20,000 emus arrived and started destroying crops. This, along with rabbits, made things worse. The stage was being set for the Great Emu War.

The Emu Invasion: Feathered Foes on the March

Emus Migrate to Western Australian Farmlands

Each year, after breeding, emus march to the coast from inland areas. This migration caused a conflict in 1932 when Australia faced about 20,000 of these birds moving into farmland. Emus saw the open lands and extra water used for livestock as perfect. They ventured into farmland, particularly in areas like Chandler and Walgoolan.

In 1932, around 20,000 emus invaded farmland in Campion, Western Australia. This invasion brought worries of destroyed crops for the local farmers.

Crop Destruction and Fence Damage

The emus ruined crops and made holes in fences, inviting rabbits to join in causing issues. In the Campion area of Western Australia, about 20,000 emus were responsible for big losses in crops. Worried farmers met with the Minister of Defense, Sir George Pearce, to ask for help. They sent ex-soldiers to discuss the problem.

The Great Emu War: When Australia Went to Battle Against Birds and Lost

Military Deployment and Tactics

The decision to send in the military was made with some rules. The soldiers would use the guns. Western Australia would pay for moving them. Also, farmers offered to feed and house the troops and pay for their bullets. Major G.M. Meredith from the Royal Australian Artillery took charge. He had two men, Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. O’Halloran, and armed them with two Lewis guns and lots of bullets.

Emus Scatter and Evade Machine Gun Attacks

However, the emus were not easy to catch. They dodged the soldiers, splitting into small groups. This made them hard to shoot down.

Meredith’s Reflections on Emu Resilience

Meredith noted the emus’ impressive ability to move, even when hurt. He said, “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds it would face any army in the world.” They could stand machine gun attacks just like tanks.

Round Two: The Army’s Second Attempt

When the army left, the emus kept attacking crops. So, farmers called for help again. The Minister of Defence got the message. He said yes to another try after hearing about 300 emus that got killed before.

Renewed Efforts and Limited Success

This time, Meredith led the troops back out. They did well the first couple of days, taking down around 40 emus.

After that, things got harder. By the third day, the success started to fade. Soon, they were only killing 100 emus in a whole week.

Claimed Emu Casualties and Withdrawal

Meredith came back on December 10th. His report said they had 986 emus down from exactly 9,860 bullets. He hit each of them with 10 shots.

He also said 2,500 emus were hurt and didn’t survive. It was time for the troops to pull back after this.

Aftermath and Ongoing Emu Problems

After the cull, emus kept destroying crops.1 Farmers didn’t have the right guns to stop them. They asked for help from the government in 1934, 1943, and 1948. But, they were always refused.

Bounty System and Barrier Fencing

The bounty system started in 1923 and kept going. It was effective. In just six months in 1934, 57,034 bounties were claimed. The emu issue was solved slowly with barrier fencing. The State Barrier Fence is 1,200km long. It was first to keep out rabbits. Now, it stops emus from moving too far, preventing some from getting hurt or starving at the fences.

Public Reaction and Legacy

The Great Emu War quickly turned into a funny story that the media reported like a Looney Tunes cartoon. People found the whole thing funny and hard to believe. Now, it’s part of our online culture, with lots of jokes and memes making fun of this odd event. But, for the farmers involved, it was a real struggle. They lost a lot and had a hard time afterwards.

Media Coverage and Humor

The story of the Emu War fascinates Australians. It has a place in their history, even if a strange one. The lesson learned from this event is that nature is strong. We have to care for it in a smart way.

Cultural Impact and Memes

The Great Emu War is now part of our culture thanks to the internet. The whole incident is a big joke online. Even though the Emu War was a failure, we learned how to better handle wildlife issues. This is an important lesson from that time.

Conservation Concerns and Emu Culling Debates

In 1918, the emus lost their protected status and became vermin to be killed off. This change made farmers fight back. They tried to stop the emus from destroying their crops, but it didn’t work. Even the military joined in during the Great Emu War, but the emu numbers stayed high.

Emu Population Management

Today, people still debate how to manage the emu population and whether culling is right. Critics worry about the State Barrier Fence hurting the emus now, which leads to their suffering. Finding a balance between farm protection and emu well-being is still a big challenge.

Environmental Impact of Barrier Fences

There’s a big argument about the emus’ effect on Australia. Some see them as vital to the environment, but others see them as destructive to farming. The Great Emu War made people think hard about fighting animals. Some supported the war, and some didn’t, bringing up tough questions. People discussed if the emus should be seen as a problem or as animals that deserve fair treatment.

Australia’s special ecosystem was the setting for the weird Great Emu War. This war stands out in history because it was such a strange fight. It shows how surprising our actions can be.

Conclusion

The Great Emu War is a funny yet meaningful part of Australia’s past. It shows how tricky clashes between humans and animals can be. It also reminds us that trying too hard to control wildlife can backfire.

The emus, surprisingly, were not easily beaten by the Australian military. This story shows how strong and smart these birds are. This fight and its aftermath still affect how Australians see and handle emus today, their national symbol.

The soldiers’ attempts to kill emus failed, with fewer than 1,000 being shot in two months. Then followed a large effort to get rid of emus by paying people to hunt them, resulting in 57,000 bounties in six months. This shows the emus’ cleverness and the challenge of fighting them like a traditional army would. The unsuccessful military effort and later embrace of emus as an Australian icon underscore the war’s significance. It highlights the complex issue of interacting with and managing animals.

The ongoing discussion about emu control involves concerns about eco-damage from strategies like the State Barrier Fence, which harms emus. Finding the right balance between farming needs and protecting emus is difficult. This issue will continue to influence how Australians view their national symbol.