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 The striking force what battled the Allies between 6-8 May appeared to be withdrawn but probably more active in the east.(1)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

Decreasing number of Japanese ships in the New Britain-Solomons area according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 May 1942

An item reported that Allied scouting aircraft above the New Britain-Solomons area saw the number of surface ships continually decreasing although Allied aircraft sunk a 8.525 gross measuring merchant ship lying at a wharf at Rabaul, New Britain [Papua New Guinea]

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 161 dated 20 May 1942

Japanese ships sighted near Tulagi (Florida Islands) according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 May 1942

An item reported that 9 Japanese ships were sighted near Tulagi (Florida Islands) in the initial stages of the US navy attacking the Japanese fleet in the Coral Sea.(1,2) Among the ships were 3 transports of which just 2 men were saved.

Notes

1. Tulagi part of the Solomon Islands, is a small island and a town which was then the capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Invaded by Japanese forces on 3 May 1942 to establish a seaplane base.

The attack was on 4 May 1942 the day before the battle of the Coral Sea between 4-8 May executed by aircraft of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 160 dated 19 May 1942

Tulagi (Florida Island) abandoned fearing for Japanese invasion according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee daily summary dated 4 May 194

An item reported that except for some communication personnel all Allied personnel left Tulagi (Florida Island) fearing a Japanese invasion. In the last 24 hours nothing was heard from the communication personnel. The Joint Intelligence Committee pointed out that possession of the island by the Japanese forces would supply them with an advance seaplane plane essential for supporting any operations in the New Guinea-Melanesia area. Air patrols could warn the Japanese forces at time for surprise attacks by Allied naval forces.

Note

1. Part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 145 dated 4 May 1942