Japan strengthening land and naval forces at New Guinea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 February 1942

An item reported that the number of Japanese ships off Rabaul increased and probably a whole regiment stationed there with probably Port Moresby (southeast coast New Guinea) as objective after Lae and Salamua (both northeast coast New Guinea).

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 71 dated 19 February 1942