Dear History Enthusiasts,
This week, we’re venturing into one of the most bizarre and fascinating chapters of military history — a “war” not fought between nations, but between Australian soldiers and a flightless bird.
The Great Emu War of 1932
After World War I, many Australian veterans were given farmland in Western Australia under a government settlement scheme. However, by the early 1930s, these farmers were struggling — not just with poor soil and plummeting crop prices during the Great Depression, but also with a new enemy: thousands of migrating emus.
Following their natural instincts, these large, flightless birds descended en masse into the farmlands of Campion, trampling crops and knocking down fences. Desperate, the farmers turned to the government for help — and they responded with military intervention.
Operation Emu
Armed with two Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition, Major G.P.W. Meredith and his small team of soldiers were deployed to the region. But the emus proved to be surprisingly effective guerrilla tacticians — they were fast, dispersed, and incredibly difficult to herd or shoot in large numbers.
Over the course of several weeks in November 1932, numerous ambushes were attempted. Yet the soldiers found themselves outwitted. The birds would scatter at the first sound of gunfire, and the terrain made chasing them near impossible. After expending thousands of rounds and achieving only a few hundred confirmed kills, the operation was called off.
Who were the victors?
While estimates suggest around 1,000 emus were killed, that was only a fraction of the population. Major Meredith reportedly quipped that if they had a military division like the emus, it could face any army in the world, comparing them to the storied Zulu warriors:
"If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds it would face any army in the world ... They can face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. They are like Zulus whom even dum-dum bullets could not stop"
The emus, seemingly victorious, continued to roam — and the war became a national joke and international curiosity.
Legacy of the Emu War
Today, albeit a joke, the Emu War stands as a reminder that not all battles are won with firepower — especially not against a determined flock of birds.
Until next time, remember to embrace the lessons of history, but never get caught up in its cobwebs.
Warm regards,
Hugh
