Japanese fleet seemed to have returned to New Britain according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 12 May 1942

An item reported that the Japanese fleet consisting of about 25 transports, supply ships and tankers and with their escort seemed to have returned to her base on New Britain. She was intercepted by Allied forces apparently underway to occupy the south east coast of New Guinea. There seemed to be none Japanese surface units to be in in the Coral Sea to the southward of the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. On 10 May were 3 submarines of the enemy seen in the Coral Sea. The striking force what battled the Allies between 6-8 May appeared to be withdrawn but probably more active in the east.(1)

Note

1. Battle of the Coral Sea between USA and Australia against Japan between 4-8 May 1942.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 153 dated 12 May 1942