We believe that all visitors should know that all of the photos images Chet has provided were taken with his Kodak "Brownie" box camera!

"BOMBS AWAY!" Visible are two bombs dropping out of the bay, and a securing strap breaking free of another during this 490th Bm Sq mission. Often smaller bombs were strappped together to increase the number which could be placed in the bomb bay, providing for greater target damage than would have been possible had there been only one bomb per mounting shackle.  Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

The 490th Bm Sq targets the railroad yards at Swebo, Burma. All 72 100-lb bombs, from three planes, struck the target, destroying rail cars, tracks and warehouses. Following the bombing the flight engaged in low-level strafing of the railway targets, from Yeu to Changwa.   1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Fire and smoke after attack by nine B-25s, led by Maj Edison Weatherly on the gas storage facilities at Manywa, Burma. Maj Weatherly would later transfer out of the 490th, to successfully command the 22nd Bomb Squadron.
Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Home (Kurmitola) from a successful mission.
(back, l-r) Lt Allan J. Scott, navigator; Lt Green, pilot; S/Sgt Altman, radio-gunner.
(front, l-r) Lt Chester J. Rogawski, bombardier; Lt Angello J. 'Brush Mush' Boutsellis, co-pilot.
Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Another successful return! Taken by Lt Robert Skimin, navigator, the remaining crew members are:   (l-r) SSgt Altman, radio-gunner; S/Sgt Raymond L. Huffman, eng-gunner; Lt. Green, pilot; Lt John C. Ewalt, co-pilot; Lt 'Chet' Rogawski, bombardier. Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

"Smile and show your teeth." That's what Chet told these three pilot's on their way to the Mess following a mission. And, they did! (l-r) Lt Emmett C. Hannes, Lt Harry S. Sutphen and Lt Green.   Hannes was Chet's pilot of the U.S to India trip. Harry Sutphen, and his entire crew, were later lost during a mission over in Burma. Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

"World Series - Indian Style"   Between the down pours, the men attempt to get a little recreation. Lts. Richard J. Huber, Harold W. Manifold, Emmett Hannes, John Ewalt and Raymond F. Farrington.
Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

"Indian Fakers!"  Three of the 490th's 'gentlemen' assume typical, local dress and pose at Kurmitola, India.
(l-r) Lts. David A. Jones, pilot, Gomez and Hassel L. Brumbach, pilot. 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Darjeeling Train. Traveling to Darjeeling from the town at the mountain's base, for Rest & Relaxation, took four hours of exciting hazards while travesring repetitive double-backs.

Chet says, " By auto the trip would only take two hours, but had its own kind of exciting hazards. Even more exciting than the train ride was the 2,000 foot climb, on horse back, for tea and crumpets. The rocky, winding trail was no more than four feet wide, with mountain side directly on one side and on the other a drop off of thousands of feet to the clouds below. The horse's owner said, 'Trust the horse, he is sure-footed!' Bad as the upward ride was, coming down was even worse - very, very scary!!!" (editor note: Chet's was, and still is, from Chicago.)
India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

The beauty at the end of the trip - Darjeeling, India. In the background are the Kanchengunga Mountains, the second highest in the world
1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Enjoying time in town. Lts Stacy D. Naftel and Robert MacLeod and Sgts Richard E. Morrelli and John T. Wold.
Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

A view of Mount Everest, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )

Paving the road. Indian women did much of the hard work. Here they are pushing a packer/crusher, while the "babu" (overseer) simply stands in the middle, holding his umbrella, which would use the umbrella to keep himself out of the sun or the rain.
Kurmitola, India, 1943.

(Courtesy of Chet Rogawski - 490th Bomb Squadron )