Japanese preparing invasion of Salamua, New Guinea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 30 January 1942

An item reported that Japanese aircraft attacked 3 times Salamua and in the vicinity were one large and 6 small Japanese ships sighted. The J.I.C. commented that this could be preparations for an invasion. On Salamua were several excellent airfields making it a base for operations covering the Coral Sea.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 51 dated 30 January 1942