In 1932, the Australian government declared war on emus. This was in response to the large population of emus that was damaging crops in Western Australia. The government sent soldiers armed with machine guns to kill the birds, but the emus proved difficult to eradicate. This led to the so-called “Emu War” becoming a source of national embarrassment for Australia.
What led to the Emu War?
In the years following World War I, the emu population in Western Australia boomed, partly due to the increased cultivation of wheat and water supplies. With the Great Depression leading to low wheat prices, the emus came to be seen as pests by farmers as they damaged the crops.
By late 1932, the emu population in the Campion and Walgoolan districts had reached plague proportions. With the emus ruining crops, the farmers appealed to the government for support. The Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, approved the use of military force to curb the emu population.
How did the Emu War unfold?
In November 1932, soldiers from the Seventh Heavy Battery of the Royal Australian Artillery were deployed to Campion district, armed with two Lewis automatic machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. On November 2, they commenced operations against a mob of approximately 50 emus spotted near a local dam.
The guns proved ineffective, with the fast-moving emus easily evading the bullets. The farmers and soldiers managed to account for only a handful of bird deaths despite expending over 2,500 rounds of ammunition. After observing the ineffectiveness of their efforts, the soldiers withdrew after just six days.
A second attempt was made in December 1932, when soldiers armed with two Lewis guns returned to Campion district. Again, the effort proved fruitless. The emus scattered at the first sound of gunfire, swiftly running out of firing range. The soldiers managed to kill only a small number of birds despite using over 9,900 rounds of ammunition across eight days of operations.
Why did the Emu War fail?
There were several reasons why the military campaign against the emus proved ineffective:
- The emus could run at speeds up to 30 mph, easily outpacing the soldiers.
- The thick plumage of emus made them resistant to bullets.
- The birds spread out over a large area, making it hard to concentrate fire.
- The machine guns used were designed for stationary targets rather than fast, evasive ones.
- The soldiers were inexperienced in guerrilla-style warfare needed to combat the emus.
In summary, the emus’ speed and the unsuitability of the military equipment and tactics led to the failure of the Emu War. The emus proved impossible to eradicate through machine gun fire.
What was the outcome of the Emu War?
The Emu War ended in decisive victory for the emus. Despite the deployment of machine guns and over 12,000 rounds of ammunition, minimal impact was made on the emu population. The army personnel withdrew at the start of December, accepting that the use of force was ineffective.
The failed military campaign generated negative publicity for the Australian government. News of the ineffective attempts to curb the emus spread quickly, resulting in the Emu War becoming the subject of ridicule in the international media. It was seen as evidence of Australia’s inadequate defense policies.
In the long run, the emu population in Western Australia naturally declined due to drought conditions and the installation of strong wire fencing around cultivated land. But the Emu War highlighted the limitations of using military force against mobile wildlife and remains a curious and humorous chapter of Australian history.
Key Facts About the Emu War
Date | November – December 1932 |
---|---|
Location | Campion district, Western Australia |
Belligerents | Emus vs. Royal Australian Artillery |
Munitions Used | Two Lewis machine guns, over 10,000 rounds ammunition |
Outcome | Decisive emu victory |
Legacy of the Emu War
The Emu War has gained legendary status in Australia. While it was originally a source of embarrassment for the government, it has become the subject of humour and parody in popular culture. Some key legacies include:
- The phrase “Emu War” entering into Australian lexicon to describe any overly ambitious and ultimately futile endeavor.
- Being memorialized through art, literature, film and even video games.
- Serving as an amusing case study for the limitations of armed conflict with wildlife.
- Highlighting the damaging impact that introduced species can have on ecosystems.
So while it was a military failure, the Emu War has left a lasting imprint on Australian culture and history. Over time, the absurdity of soldiers grappling with fast-moving emus has become part of the nation’s folklore. It serves as a reminder to pursue more creative solutions than brute force when dealing with conflicts involving animals.
Conclusion
The Emu War stands as one of the more peculiar small-scale conflicts in history. While the Australian government took the emu problem seriously, sending in the army with machine guns proved farcical. The emus easily outmaneuvered the soldiers and shrugged off bullet fire. Within months, the army withdrew, conceding that eradication through force was impractical. The Emu War ended in a decisive, if somewhat farcical, emu victory.
In the years since, the Emu War has become engrained in Australian culture, serving as a quirky example of the limits of military force when applied to mobile wildlife. While initially a source of embarrassment, it is now remembered with humour and parody. The emus retain their status as Australia’s most unlikely victors over human forces.