Flames

Following many unsuccessful expeditions to capture him, Pemulwuy increased his attacks against the Europeans. He had led a number of raids against the farmlands. Sometimes crops and clothes were stolen. Fields and fields were set on fire. At the time such resources were desperately needed by the colony, some historians have argued the attacks were calculated war strategies devised by Pemulwuy to weaken his enemy.

He was bringing the coloney to it's knees.

Pemulwuy’s actions had the characteristics of guerilla war, which was fighting in smal indepentant bands of soldiers attack in surprise and/or raids.


If one settler broke any Bidigal laws, other settlers could be punished for the violation.

Once punished, the matter was in the past and a state of peace returned. Unfortunately, settlers knowingly or unknowingly continued to break the laws, which forced Pemulwuy to keep dispensing justice. Settlers in turn found themselves being punished, but often not knowing what they were being punished for or even knowing they were be punished.

In 1794, Pemulwuy attacked a group of Convicts and ending up fighting a huge Convict/Bushranger of African descent. This man had the physical strength of an elephant, and managed to crack Pemulwuy's skull and many people in the colony celebrated because they thought he was dead. Although seriously wounded, Pemulwuy recovered to fight on.


In 1797, Pemulwuy led a sustained attack on the Toongabbie outpost, capturing more food and clothing. He then led the Bidjigal to Parramatta. During the battle Pemulwuy was hurt and captured. The Bidjigal suffered great losses and were forced to retreat. Pemulwuy was left lying in a pool of blood and thought to be dead.


Amazingly, he was only severely wounded. In a display of mercy and admiration, the soldiers took him to the hospital at Parramatta. He lapsed in and out of consciousness for many days and his death was thought to be a certainty. But Pemulwuy recovered and a couple of weeks later, he escaped into the darkness - his leg-irons still in place. According to the Bidjijal people, his impossible escape was achieved by turning himself into a bird.