Rumors that large Japanese fleet was underway to Perth, Australia not true according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 24 March 1942

An item referred to a broadcast of the French Vichy radio reporting that a large Japanese fleet was underway to Perth, Australia. The J.I.C. commented that although there was a quite strong striking force present in the Dutch East Indies there was no indication that she was moving towards Perth.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 104 dated 24 March 1942