ww 2 german sub base penang maylasia?? / flew ar 196's?

[tom d. friedman]

i'm reading or skimming through a new book entitled "JAPANESE SECRET PROJECTS: EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT OF THE IJA & IJN 1939 - 1945".... copyright 2009, by edwin m. dyer the 3rd.

the book mentions an operating sub base at penang, malaysia. the book hints that the japanese used german ar 196 float planes in japanese markings which caused confusion in intelligence reports. can anyone elaborate?? sounds like a fascinating topic!!