Battle of Finschhafen

Battle of Finschhafen
Part of World War II, Pacific War

A view of Finschhafen, October 1943
Date22 September – 24 October 1943
Location6°36′S 147°51′E / 6.600°S 147.850°E / -6.600; 147.850
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 Australia
 United States
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Australia George Wootten
Australia Victor Windeyer
Hatazo Adachi
Eizo Yamada
Shigeru Katagiri
Units involved

Australia 9th Division

United States 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment

Empire of Japan 20th Division

Empire of Japan 41st Division

Empire of Japan 51st Division

Empire of Japan 1st Shipping Group
Strength
~5,300 (first phase) 4,000 – 5,000 (first phase)
~ 12,000 (second phase)
Casualties and losses
73 killed, 285 wounded (first phase)
49 killed, 179 wounded (second phase)
679 killed, 821 wounded (second phase only)

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.