First Allied casualties in the Pacific war?

On December 7th, a flying boat PBY Catalina of No. 205 Squadron RAF, captained by Flying Officer Bedell, was shot down by Japanese aircraft while attempting to monitor the progress of the Japanese fleet. Flying Officer Bedell and his crew became the first Allied casualties of the war with the Empire of Japan.

http://www.geocities.com/dutcheastindies/kota_bharu.html

 

Good descriptive page Kai, thanks, adding that to my collection.

Dont know if your interest expands to the Burma campaign....very good work and again under reported stuff in ...The Retreat from Burma..James Lunt.

Shows glaringly the British unpreparedness and reliance on localy raised milita type forces such as Burma rifles..good unit but not up to Imperial Japanese army standards in those early days...