Japanese apparently interested in controlling Coral Sea by aircraft according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 13 January 1942

An item referred to the J.I.C. comment that the reconnaisance flights by the Japanese over Melanesia could point out the near future establishing of air bases in the Australian Mandates and Solomon Islands and controlling the Coral Sea from the air cutting off the supply line from Brirsbane to Darwin.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 13 January 1942 No. 34