The Battle of Finschhafen was part of the Huon Peninsula campaign in New Guinea during World War II and was fought between Australian and Japanese forces. The fighting took place between 22 September and 24 October 1943 following the landing at Scarlet Beach, which was followed by a two-pronged advance on Finschhafen as the Australian 20th Infantry Brigade advanced on the town from the north, while the 22nd Infantry Battalion drove from the south, having advanced from the landing beaches east of Lae. After the capture of Finschhafen, the Japanese forces in the area withdrew towards Sattelberg where they sought to hold the Australians before launching a counteroffensive, which subsequently threatened the landing beach. This attack was repelled by Australian and American forces, with heavy casualties being inflicted on the Japanese. In the aftermath, the Australians went on the offensive, capturing Sattelberg, and then advancing towards the Wareo plateau.
A view of Finschhafen, October 1943
A machine gun team from the Australian 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion around Scarlet Beach, October 1943
Wrecked Japanese barges at Scarlet Beach following a failed Japanese attack, 17 October 1943
20th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The 20th Division was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its tsūshōgō code name was the Morning Division .
Surrender of the IJA 18th Army at New Guinea