The Great Emu War
Forgotten History · 1932
Published
In November 1932, Australian soldiers were sent to Western Australia after large numbers of emus moved through farming land and damaged crops. A small military party travelled with Lewis guns and a truck, expecting concentrated gunfire to reduce the flocks. The birds scattered, outran the operation and proved far harder to kill than the plan assumed.
Why It Mattered
The operation became famous because military equipment failed so visibly against fast-moving wildlife. Behind the comic “war” label were struggling farmers, substantial crop losses and a campaign criticised for its expense, cruelty and limited results.
Crop-Protection Request
- Farmers in the Campion district reported that migrating emus were damaging wheat crops.
- Their request for protection was sent from Western Australia to the federal government.
Military Assistance
- The Minister for Defence authorised a military party equipped with a motor truck and Lewis guns.
- The Argus reported on 12 November 1932 that the machine-gun attack had resumed.
Public Debate
- The campaign was discussed in Federal Parliament by December 1933.
- The later account records criticism of its cost, animal welfare and practical results.
Associated With
Australian Minister for Defence and a military party - associated person or organisation
Defining Feature
Use of Lewis guns against emus damaging Western Australian crops
Status
Historical event - Concluded historical pest-control operation debated in Federal Parliament
Primary Records
Image Sources
- All one image sources are not yet verified — editorial review required.
Rights Notice
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Gallery
Credit
Unknown photographer; Wazee Digital, via Wikimedia Commons
Licence
Public domain
This image is recorded as public domain. Its source provides the provenance.
Caption
A Lewis gun was deployed during Australia's Emu War, an unusual military response to agricultural damage that became remembered for the campaign's limited success.