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World War One ends
After the end of World War One, many Australian soldiers who returned home were given land to farm by the government. -
The Great Depression
During the great Depression Australian farmers were encouraged by the government to increase their wheat production. They were to be subsidized for their production. -
Excess Wheat, conditions for The Emu War are set
In 1932, farmers had a excess amount of wheat. They threatened to withhold their supplies because the government was not delivering on their promised subsidies. -
Emu Invasion
After their mating season, Emu populations regularly migrate to Australia's western coast regions. In 1932 the Emu population was estimated to be at 20,000. At this time there are more farmers than ever in Australia, due to the amount of soldiers who turned to the occupation after the war. The shear amount of wheat produced by the farmers became attractive feeding locations for the Emu population during their migration. The Emus began to ravage the country side, decimating the farmers' surplus. -
Military Involvement
Many of the farmers were ex-soldiers and had direct experience with the devastation machine-gun technology, and artillery can have. They petitioned the government for military assistance to curb the Emu population. Minister of Defense, Sir George Pearce agreed. So long as the farmers fed the troops, and paid for ammunition. -
First Encounter
The first conflicts of this war were proved to be unsuccessful for the Australian government. Soldiers tracked down 50 Emus outside of the town of Campion. The birds were too fast and difficult to target. Two more encounters were had in the weeks of November. 2,500 shells of ammunition were spent, and less than 50 Emu were killed. The army lost money and supplies on the operation, and thousands upon thousands of Emu remained. -
Aftermath
By the end of The Great Emu war an estimated 300 out of 20,000
Emus were killed For years after the Emu continued to ravage the countryside. The military officially declined formal requests for aid in the years 1934, 1943, and 1948