Today in World War II History—Sept. 24, 1943 POSTED: Monday, September 24, 2018 by Sarah Sundin Map of the Australian offensive on Finschhafen, New Guinea, 22 Sept-20 Oct 1943 (US Army Center of Military History) 75 Years Ago—Sept. 24, 1943: Australians cross Bumi River in New Guinea on way to Finschhafen.