American and Dutch forces attacked Japanese convoy in the Strait of Makassar according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 28 January 1942

An item referred to an authoritative naval source at Washington, USA reporting that American and Dutch forces attacked with succes a Japanese convoy and escort in the Strait of Makassar. The Japanese heavy losses forced Japan to redistribute naval units to strenghten convoys bound for the Dutch East Indies. The CinC of the Japanese Third Fleet asked urgently for reinforcements. He was possible the major unit commanding officer in that area. Still the convoys were not proceeding as originally planned. The Japanese Fleets were believed to be in excellent material condition when the war broke out. In the period before were the ships repaired and/or overhauled and their crews increased to full war numbers. At the present were ships returning to home shipyards, partly for repairing battle damage. Another part seemed to be laid up temporarily with as result less ships available for service. This number would grow as a result of the increasing naval operations.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 49 dated 28 January 1942