Japanese fleet not reinforced after the Battle of the Coral Sea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 13 May 1942

An item reported that according to aircraft flying over the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands up to 10 May Japanese naval units were especially busy with refuelling. It became clear that some went to the east for offensive purposes. There arrived no reinforcements to replace the losses suffered last week in the Coral Sea. (1) Except for lacking enough surface units were due to the loss of aircraft carriers also not enough ship-born aircraft avalaible. The reason for not sending reinforcements was that probably the fitting out of forces in Japanese home waters for offensive operations.

Note

1. Battle of the Coral Sea between USA and Australia against Japan between 4-8 May 1942, the Japanese light carrier Shoho was destroyed and the fleet carrier Shokaku damaged. The fleet carrier Zuikaku was forced to return to Japan for replacing the large loss of aircraft and aircrew.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 154 dated 13 May 1942.