Australia's Unconventional 1932 Emu Conflict: The Great War

When one thinks of wars and military campaigns, battles against other countries or internal conflicts typically come to mind. However, in 1932, Australia conducted a most unconventional war largely forgotten by the general populace today: it was called the "Great Emu War," and its combatants were no other than flightless birds known as emus.

The backdrop for this strange episode involves post-World War I Australia. The country was grappling with severe economic difficulties exacerbated by a major agricultural crisis. Veterans who had fought bravely in World War I were given plots of land to cultivate as part of their reparation packages. However, these fledgling farmers faced challenges, including poor soil quality and record-low wheat prices.

Australia also experienced another problem – the displacement of indigenous wildlife due to farm expansions. A rampant increase in the emu population placed further strain on struggling farmers. Emigrating from inland regions due to harsh weather conditions, thousands of emus flocked to farmlands in Western Australia. These enormous birds trampled crops, damaged infrastructure, and left a trail of destruction in their wake.

Farmers sought assistance from the government to save their livelihoods. The then-Minister of Defence, George Pearce, responded by launching a military campaign to reduce the emu population. In November 1932, soldiers armed with two Lewis machine guns were deployed into rural Western Australia under Major G.P.W. Meredith’s command.

The campaign began with optimism but swiftly turned into chaos due to the unforeseen capabilities of the targeted adversaries. Emus possess remarkable speed (up to 50 km/h) and endurance; herding them together proved impossible as they scattered quickly upon any perceived threat.

The initial engagements saw sporadic firing that managed only minimal success. The soldiers faced numerous challenges, such as weapon malfunctions and the agility of the emus, which made accurate aiming difficult. The campaign continued with repeated failed attempts, culminating in an abrupt cessation on December 10th. The operation had proven to be a costly failure, both in terms of resources and public perception. The soldiers could not significantly impact the emu population, and the campaign was ultimately deemed inefficient and ill-planned.

The Great Emu War of 1932 is a peculiar chapter in Australia’s history. It highlights the challenges faced by post-war veterans, the difficulties of agricultural expansion, and the unexpected resilience of wildlife against human intervention.