In 1932, Australia launched a military operation against thousands of emus that were damaging farmland in Western Australia. World War I veterans turned farmers had requested government assistance as migrating birds trampled crops and fencing. Soldiers armed with machine guns attempted to control the population in what became known as the Emu War. However, the emus proved surprisingly resilient, moving in small groups and outrunning gunfire. Despite firing thousands of rounds, the soldiers struggled to make a significant impact. The mission was eventually abandoned, and the event became a humorous but memorable chapter in Australian history.