The emus Large Australian birds that migrate toward the coast after breeding. In 1932 about 20,000 of them moved onto farmland, eating crops and breaking fences. The photo shows a present-day emu.
1 Sources 2 Connections The Emu War The Australian Army's emu cull that began on 2 November 1932. Because soldiers used machine guns, the press called it the "Emu War".
1 Sources 3 Connections The soldier-settlers First World War veterans given land to farm in Western Australia. Well aware of what machine guns could do, they asked for them.
1 Sources 2 Connections Sir George Pearce The Minister of Defence, who readily agreed, on condition that soldiers used the guns and the farmers paid for food, lodging and ammunition. He also said the birds would make good target practice.
1 Sources 3 Connections Major Meredith The Royal Australian Artillery major in command, with two soldiers, two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds. He said the emus could face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks.
1 Sources 3 Connections The Lewis guns The two machine guns used. On 4 November, after waiting for more than 1,000 emus to come close, the gun jammed after only 12 were killed. Mounting a gun on a truck failed too: the truck could not keep up.
1 Sources 1 Connections The first withdrawal By 8 November 2,500 rounds had been fired. Accounts of the kill range from 50 to 500 birds. Amid negative press, the minister withdrew the soldiers and guns that day.
1 Sources 1 Connections The second attempt Renewed at the farmers' request on 13 November. Recalled on 10 December, Meredith reported 986 kills with 9,860 rounds, and claimed 2,500 wounded birds had also died, a figure that is highly disputed.
1 Sources 2 Connections The bounty system The emu bounty system in place since 1923. When farmers asked for the army again in 1934, 1943 and 1948, the government refused, and the bounties proved effective: 57,034 were claimed over six months in 1934.
1 Sources 1 Connections The stripped fields The operation took place in the Campion district of Western Australia's Wheatbelt. The photo shows a field laid bare by emus in 1932.
1 Sources 2 Connections overran asked for machine guns approved commanded used took place in ordered asked again for reported on proved effective against Control map, One finger scrolls the page. Two fingers move or zoom the map.
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Item The emus Large Australian birds that migrate toward the coast after breeding. In 1932 about 20,000 of them moved onto farmland, eating crops and breaking fences. The photo shows a present-day emu. User contribution ↓ overran About 20,000 came in 1932. Sources 1 Place The stripped fields The operation took place in the Campion district of Western Australia's Wheatbelt. The photo shows a field laid bare by emus in 1932. User contribution ↑ proved effective against Used instead of the army. Sources 1 Concept The bounty system The emu bounty system in place since 1923. When farmers asked for the army again in 1934, 1943 and 1948, the government refused, and the bounties proved effective: 57,034 were claimed over six months in 1934. User contribution Item The Emu War The Australian Army's emu cull that began on 2 November 1932. Because soldiers used machine guns, the press called it the "Emu War". User contribution ↑ approved With conditions. Sources 1 Person Sir George Pearce The Minister of Defence, who readily agreed, on condition that soldiers used the guns and the farmers paid for food, lodging and ammunition. He also said the birds would make good target practice. User contribution ↑ commanded Both attempts. Sources 1 Person Major Meredith The Royal Australian Artillery major in command, with two soldiers, two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds. He said the emus could face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. User contribution Organization The soldier-settlers First World War veterans given land to farm in Western Australia. Well aware of what machine guns could do, they asked for them. User contribution ↓ asked for machine guns A deputation met the minister. Sources 1 Person Sir George Pearce The Minister of Defence, who readily agreed, on condition that soldiers used the guns and the farmers paid for food, lodging and ammunition. He also said the birds would make good target practice. User contribution ↓ asked again for Amid heat and drought. Sources 1 Item The second attempt Renewed at the farmers' request on 13 November. Recalled on 10 December, Meredith reported 986 kills with 9,860 rounds, and claimed 2,500 wounded birds had also died, a figure that is highly disputed. User contribution Person Sir George Pearce The Minister of Defence, who readily agreed, on condition that soldiers used the guns and the farmers paid for food, lodging and ammunition. He also said the birds would make good target practice. User contribution ↑ asked for machine guns A deputation met the minister. Sources 1 Organization The soldier-settlers First World War veterans given land to farm in Western Australia. Well aware of what machine guns could do, they asked for them. User contribution ↓ approved With conditions. Sources 1 Item The Emu War The Australian Army's emu cull that began on 2 November 1932. Because soldiers used machine guns, the press called it the "Emu War". User contribution More shared clues (8) AI research is a draft. Read the sources and check the context.
