An item reported that all Japanese heavy warships including the aircraft carriers seemed to be withdrawn from the Bay of Bengal-Malaya area. The J.I.C. commented that the major naval operations in this area seemed to be completed and probably transferred to another area probably Melanesia to start on short notice.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 133 dated 22 April 1942.
An item reported that Japanese naval ships seemed to be still searching in the northwest Pacific supported by air patrols from Marcus and Wake Islands. There was no evidence for imminent carrier operations outside of the Truk-Melanesian theater.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 135 dated 24 April 1942
An item reported that were there indications that some Japanese surface vessels might be enroute to Rabaul [Papua New Guinea] coming from Truk (Japanese Mandates). While there was no task force available for a major offensive in Melanesia the occupation of Tulagi (Solomon Islands] was expected on short notice and possible followed by an attack on Por Moresby.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 139 dated 28 April 1942.
An item reported that 0n 7 August the U.S. Navy launched successful offensive operations in the Tulagi area, Solomon Islands, Melanesia despite Japanese land-based aircraft and garrisons fighting back.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 242 dated 9 August 1942.
An item reported that US Army bombers attacked on 26 April a Japanese convoy consisting of 3 transports, 2 destroyers and 2 submarines on a distance of around 90 miles southeast of Kavieng, Melanesia [New Ireland, Papua New Guinea]. One 6,000 tons transport was hit and 5 times nearly missed and possible one transport was nearly missed. A day later were 5 other merchants ships and a large transport sighted in the vicinity of Kavieng.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 140 dated 29 April 1942.
An item reported that US Army bombers attacked on 26 April a Japanese convoy consisting of 3 transports, 2 destroyers and 2 submarines on a distance of around 90 miles southeast of Kavieng, Melanesia [New Ireland, Papua New Guinea]. One 6,000 tons transport was hit and 5 times nearly missed and possible one transport was nearly missed. A day later were 5 other merchants ships and a large transport sighted in the vicinity of Kavieng.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 140 dated 29 April 1942.
An item reported that allied aircraft scouting in the Melanesian area hardly saw any Japanese small unit. It was concluded that apparently the heavy unites were withdrawn probably for an offensive against Midway Islands or the Aleutians.
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 159 dated 18 May 1942
