Large number of Japanese merchant and warships sighted in Bismarck Archipelago according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 31 August 1942

An item reported that n 29 August Allied aircraft sighted in the harbour of Rabaul, Bismarck Archipelago [island New Britain, Papua New Guinea] 32 ships with a tonnage varying between 2,000-10,00 tons and at St. George [between New Britain and New Ireland) 2 destroyers and 2 merchant ships.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 264 dated 31 August 1942.