Japanese warships sighted in the Bay of Kendari, Dutch East Indies according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 25 January 1942

An item reported that 8 Japanese warships were present in the bay of Kendari, Dutch East Indies and a small force was landed to destroy the supplies at Airdrome No.1. The J.I.C. commented that Kendari was used as base for Allied bombers attacking Menado and a loss would influence the fight against the Japanese in the Molucca Passage and Sea.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 46 dated 25 January 1942