The Problem
After the First World War, the Australian government had given farmland in Western Australia to returning veterans. By 1932, the farms were being devastated by approximately 20,000 emus migrating through the region during their annual movement patterns. The birds were destroying crops and breaking fences.
The Military Response
The government deployed Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery, two soldiers, and two Lewis machine guns. The plan was straightforward: herd the emus into a concentrated area and open fire. The operation began on 2 November 1932.
What Went Wrong
The emus scattered in every direction. Small groups broke off across the landscape. The machine guns could not track them effectively. Major Meredith later observed that the emus could absorb multiple hits and continue running — he compared their resilience to tanks. The birds had no command structure to destroy, no supply lines to cut, and no territory to defend. Every military advantage Australia possessed was irrelevant.
After six days and thousands of rounds, the results were so poor that the army withdrew. The operation was resumed later in the month with similar results. The emus continued to move through the farmland.
The Mechanism
The Emu War is remembered as absurd, but the mechanism it illustrates is serious: conventional military force is ineffective against a decentralised, distributed enemy that refuses to engage on conventional terms. The lesson would be relearned in conflicts throughout the twentieth century. The emus simply did what emus do. The army was simply unable to stop them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Emu War?
The emus won. The Australian Army withdrew after firing thousands of rounds with limited effect on the emu population.
Why did Australia declare war on emus?
Around 20,000 emus were migrating through farmland in Western Australia that had been given to First World War veterans. The birds were destroying crops and breaking fences.
How long did the Emu War last?
The initial campaign lasted approximately six days before the army withdrew. A second campaign was mounted later in November 1932 with similarly limited success.
How many emus were killed?
The exact number is disputed. After firing over 2,500 rounds in the first campaign, the army reported limited confirmed kills. The campaign was widely regarded as a failure.