In 1932, the Australian government lost war against the native emu population. the operation that has since become known as great emu war began as an initiative to combat overpopulation of the crop-destroying birds invading farmland around Chandler and Walgooglan. The initial assault on the flightless avian began November 2 and lasted six days before the military personnel withdrew. efforts resumed on November 12, but by early December, the feathered foes had adopted guerrilla tactics against the targeted wheat fields, rendering military involvement largely ineffective. The Australian government declined further involvement with the ongoing conflict in 1934, 1943, and 1948, despite repeated pleas for assistance by the farmers in the area.