The Great Emu War of Australia: An Unbelievable Story
The Great Emu War of Australia was no joke. It really happened in 1932. This war took place in the Campion area of Western Australia. Emus, large flightless birds native to Australia, numbered about 20,000 there.1 These emus were damaging wheat crops and tearing down fences, causing major problems for local farmers. Faced with this challenge, the farmers sought help from their government. In an unexpected move, the Australian military was dispatched to the area, armed with machine guns.
This odd conflict, known as the Great Emu War, ended with surprising results. Despite being armed, the military couldn’t overcome the emus. The farmers and the military suffered a definite loss in their efforts to control the emu population.
Key Takeaways
- The Great Emu War of Australia was a real military campaign that took place in 1932 to cull the emu population in Western Australia.
- Emus caused significant damage to local farms, leading the government to deploy the military to the region with machine guns.
- The military’s efforts to cull the emus were largely ineffective due to the birds’ resilience and guerrilla tactics.
- The Great Emu War ended in a resounding defeat for the Australian forces, with the emus proving to be a formidable adversary.
- The story of the Great Emu War has become a bizarre and iconic chapter in Australian military history.
- CLICK HERE FOR A FULL ARTICLE
Australia’s Bizarre Military Campaign Against Emus
On November 2, 1932, soldiers from the Royal Australian Artillery set out to rid Campion of emus. They were armed with two Lewis light machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammo.1 Their mission? To get rid of an estimated 20,000 emus in the area.1
A Failed Attempt at Emu Culling
The soldiers’ plan to reduce the emu population didn’t go as they expected. The emus scattered in small groups, making them hard to hit. The initial shots mostly missed because of the birds’ distance.1 Even in other tries, the troops could only down a few emus. These birds were tough, showing amazing resolve against the gunfire.1
Emus’ Resistance to Machine Gun Fire
The commanding officer, Major Meredith, was amazed by the emus. He noted they were like Zulu warriors. Meredith said if these birds were in their army, they’d be unbeatable.1 Yet, despite relentless attacks by soldiers, the emus stood strong against the bullets. This left the military frustrated and far from the goal of wiping the emus out.
Origins of the Great Emu War
The Great Emu War started when local farmers in Western Australia had trouble with emus. These birds were on the move and found their way to farms in Campion. There, they ate wheat crops and broke fences.2 This was bad news for the farmers, who were already dealing with low wheat prices. They also weren’t getting help from the government.3
Emu Migration and Crop Destruction
About 20,000 emus moved into the Campion area, wrecking crops as they went.32 The farmers were in trouble and asked the government for aid. The emu issue had become a serious problem for them.
Farmers’ Plea for Military Assistance
This cry for help made its way to the Australian government. The Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, got involved. He decided to use the military to stop the emus, calling them “vermin” to justify this action in 1922.2
Government’s Decision to Employ Firepower
The government thought sending the military would be a good plan. The Royal Australian Artillery was chosen to battle the emu “plague.”2 They sent out Sergeant S. McMurray, Gunner J. O’Halloran, and Major G.P.W. Meredith with weapons. They had two machine guns and a lot of bullets with them.3
Unbelievable But True: The Great Emu War of Australia
The Great Emu War of Australia might sound like a joke, but it really happened in 1932. The Australian military fought against emus. This may seem strange, but local farmers were desperate for help against the birds. So, the government decided to use weapons to control the emu population. This attempt was both bizarre and a failure.
The Great Emu War story is quite popular. It shows how unusual conflicts between humans and animals can be. It also highlights the difficulty of managing wildlife. People worldwide find it fascinating.34
The First Strikes Against the Emu Army
The battle began on November 2, 1932. The Seventh Heavy Battery, with two machine guns and lots of ammo, was ready. They came to Campion, Western Australia. The locals tried to help by bringing the emus close for an attack. But the fast and scattered birds were hard to hit from far away at first.5
Emus’ Guerrilla Tactics
Two days later, a big group of emus was spotted heading to a dam. The soldiers hid and shot when birds were close. However, a machine gun broke after only 12 birds were taken down. Many emus escaped. After that, the soldiers kept chasing the emus but always faced trouble. The birds were smart and their weapons often failed.
Ineffective Ambushes and Machine Gun Jams
The first part of the fight went on for over a month. They shot about 10 times for each killed bird. Another 2,500 emus died later because of their wounds. This showed The Australian military had it wrong. Their first try killed very few emus given the bullets they used.
Emus’ Resilience and the Military’s Retreat
Even facing machine gun fire, the emus kept going. Major Meredith was amazed by their strength, calling them like Zulu fighters who could take on anything.6
Emus Compared to Zulu Warriors
2,500 rounds fired, but maybe only 50 to 500 emus were lost. That was nothing close to removing them all. The soldiers were frustrated and pulled back due to bad press on November 8. They left feeling embarrassed, realizing emus weren’t easy to defeat.
Withdrawal of Troops After Ammunition Depletion
The emus showed a side no one expected; they were tough. Major Meredith likened them to the strong Zulu fighters against the British. This showed just how strong the emus really were.67
The Second Emu Offensive
The farmers were still struggling with the emu issue despite the first campaign’s failure.8 Major Meredith returned on November 13 to lead the continued fight. This followed farmers’ calls and news that more emus were being killed.9 They were able to take out about 100 emus each week. However, it was unclear how successful this effort was.9 The whole operation used a lot of ammunition. Meredith estimated they needed 10 shots to confirm one emu kill.
Criticism from Conservationists
Conservationists, in and out of Australia, criticized the campaign’s methods as inhumane.9 The Great Emu War was now under strong public outcry and debate. This weakened the government’s stance on controlling emu numbers.
Bizarre Warfare: Human-Animal Conflicts
The Great Emu War wasn’t Australia’s only strange wildlife management effort. They’ve tried many tactics, like introducing cane toads in 1935. This was meant to control beetles but led to a major toad pest problem instead.1
Australia’s History of Wildlife Management
Australia has tried to control wildlife in many ways. Some efforts have backfired, like the cane toads’ introduction and the failed emu war. These events teach us about the challenges of managing animal populations and the surprises nature can bring.1
Emus’ Cultural Significance
The emu is more than a bird in Australia; it’s a national symbol. It’s on the Australian Coat of Arms. During the Emu War, people felt the military was attacking something dear to them. This shows how important emus are in Australia’s heart.1
Legacy of the Great Emu War
The Great Emu War aimed to control the emu population. It cost a lot but didn’t work well. The military saved some wheat fields but didn’t kill many emus. They used a lot of bullets.3 On the other hand, paying farmers to kill emus worked better. Over 57,034 bounties were claimed in six months in 1934.10
Farmer Bounties and Fencing as Alternative Solutions
Building more fences was actually better at stopping emus. It kept them away from crops, reducing damage.10 Using bounties and fences showed how to handle the emu problem. It proved to be a good way after the Great Emu War.
Emu War in Popular Culture
The Great Emu War story is well-known, even made into a movie with John Cleese. This makes the event famous for being weird yet memorable.11 The military’s funny failure against the emus is now a joke. It’s seen as a strange part of Australia’s past.11
Conclusion
The Great Emu War shows the challenges when humans try to manage wildlife. It started when farmers in Australia wanted to control the emu population because they were ruining crops111. However, the military’s attempt failed, turning into a notable defeat. This event highlighted the unpredictability of nature and the risks of interfering with it.
In Australia, dealing with its natural balance remains a big issue. The Great Emu War left a mark on the country’s history. It showed the importance of finding solutions that work for both people and animals. This is key in addressing problems related to wildlife.
The Great Emu War is still commonly talked about today. An upcoming movie will bring more attention to this unusual military conflict. It’s a vivid example of how nature can surprise us, despite any plans and efforts we make.
FAQ
What was the Great Emu War of Australia?
In 1932, Australia had a strange war against emus. The country’s military tried to reduce emu numbers. They used machine guns but could not win.
Why did the Australian government decide to send the military to fight the emus?
Local farmers needed help with emus hurting their crops and fences. They asked the government for aid. The military was then sent to deal with the emu problem.
How effective were the military’s attempts to kill the emus?
The military struggled to kill the emus. The birds broke into small groups and were hard to hit. After six days, they had managed to kill a few hundred at most — much less than they had hoped.
How did the emus fare against the military’s firepower?
The emus were tough against the military. They dodged the bullets well. An officer compared them to strong warriors. He said their armor could defy even tanks.
What was the outcome of the Great Emu War?
The emus won against the military. The soldiers couldn’t reduce their numbers significantly. So, the government pulled back. The war was a failure for Australia.
Did the Australian government try to address the emu problem in other ways?
After the war, the government looked for other solutions. Paying farmers to kill emus worked better. They also built more fences to protect crops.
Why does the Great Emu War remain a significant event in Australian history?
The Emu War is remembered worldwide for its odd nature. It shows the funny side of human-animal wars. The upcoming film will make sure this story is not forgotten.
Source Links
- http://nomadsworld.com/great-emu-war/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-great-emu-war-australia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War
- https://nomadsworld.com/great-emu-war/
- https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2016/10/australias-emu-wars/
- https://www.cracked.com/blog/the-australian-army-once-went-to-war-with-emus-and-lost
- https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/epic-war-fails/
- https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-you-missed-in-histor-21124503/episode/emu-war-of-1932-30207781/
- https://allthatsinteresting.com/great-emu-war
- https://ironicsans.substack.com/p/the-great-emu-war
- https://medium.com/@tim.prokopenko2000/the-stranger-than-fiction-the-great-emu-war-of-australia-25f36783f0ca
- CLICK HERE FOR A FULL ARTICLE