The Great Emu War
An Official Retrospective
Chapter I: The Prelude
In 1932, Australia faced an unexpected crisis. After World War I, many ex-soldiers were given farmland in Western Australia. The economic hardships of the Great Depression coincided with the arrival of an estimated 20,000 emus. The birds, migrating inland after their breeding season, found the cultivated lands to be an ideal source of food and water, causing widespread destruction of crops.
Source: National Museum of Australia, "The Great Emu War of 1932".Chapter II: The Military Operation
Under pressure from farmers, the government agreed to deploy military personnel. A unit from the Royal Australian Artillery, led by Major G.P.W. Meredith, was dispatched, armed with two Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. The 'war' began on November 2, 1932. However, the emus proved to be surprisingly difficult targets, scattering into small groups and running at high speeds, making them hard to target effectively.
As reported in "The West Australian" newspaper, November 1932.Chapter III: The Aftermath & Legacy
After just one week and roughly 2,500 rounds fired, the results were dismal, with very few emus killed. The troops were withdrawn amid negative media coverage and public ridicule. Despite a second attempt, the operation was deemed a resounding failure. Ultimately, a bounty system introduced later proved more effective at controlling emu numbers. The Great Emu War remains a strange cautionary tale in Australian history.
Analysis from the Australian War Memorial archives.