The Great Emu War of 1932 remains a quirky but true event in Australian history. The influx of around 20,000 emus into the Campion district in Western Australia disrupted farming, with the large birds damaging wheat crops and fences, exacerbating the challenges faced by struggling farmers at the time.

To tackle this issue, a group of ex-soldiers turned farmers approached Sir George Pearce, the Minister of Defence, seeking military assistance. Surprisingly, machine guns were dispatched to the region as a solution, at the request of these ex-military men who believed in the efficacy of such weaponry.

However, the military’s attempts to control the emu population using machine guns didn’t go as planned. The first encounters on November 2, 1932, were largely unsuccessful due to the birds’ distance and their ability to scatter into smaller groups, making them difficult targets. A subsequent ambush near a dam on November 4 resulted in the birds fleeing before substantial casualties could be inflicted, as the gun jammed after a few birds were shot.

As the operation continued, Major Meredith, leading the military effort, shifted tactics to areas where the emus were reportedly tamer. By November 8, roughly 2,500 rounds of ammunition had been fired, but the reported emu casualties varied widely. Accounts suggested only around 50 birds were killed, while other estimates ranged from 200 to 500.

Despite the military’s efforts, there were no reported casualties among the soldiers in their encounters with the emus, at least according to Major Meredith’s official report.

The Great Emu War is an unusual chapter in history, illustrating the challenges faced by farmers and the unexpected difficulties encountered when trying to address an influx of wildlife impacting agricultural lands, all with a touch of humor in its outcome.