In November-December 1932, Australian authorities deployed soldiers with machine guns to cull emus devastating wheat crops in Western Australia after a drought. Led by Major G.P.W. Meredith, the operation aimed to kill thousands but failed due to the birds' speed, intelligence in scattering, and tough physiology. Only about 1,000 were confirmed killed despite heavy ammunition use. The 'war' embarrassed the military and became a symbol of human-nature conflict and bureaucratic folly.

The Emu War has inspired humorous and satirical Australian poetry and literature critiquing colonialism, militarism, and environmental mismanagement. It connects to bush poetry traditions and modern eco-poetry, influencing poets like those in the 20th century who used absurdity to comment on national identity and wildlife. Its legacy appears in works exploring failed human dominance over nature.