The Robert K. Phaneuf crew: 708th Squadron
The Phaneuf crew before deployment; September 1944
| Standing, L-R: |
| Cpl Robert Sappington |
| Cpl Robert Outlaw |
| Cpl Joseph Swyka |
| Cpl Charles Meshel |
| Cpl ______ Walker |
| Cpl Richard Hunsbrucher |
| Kneeling, L-R: |
| Lt. Robert K. Phaneuf |
| Lt. Robert L. Johnson |
| F/O Carl Dossenbach |
| F/O Brown (reassigned) |
| 10/25/44 – 3/45 | 708th Squadron, Rattlesden, UK Special Order No 256 |
| Missions Flown: 35 | |
Flights with Robert K. Phaneuf listed as Pilot
These lists are NOT limited to officially credited Combat missions, and may include Aborts, returns and non-takeoff occurrences as well.
| 447th Mission (Date) | Target | Plane Number | Notes |
| #175 (16-Nov-44) | Duren, Germany | 42-32080 | Landed at Welford Park |
| #176 (21-Nov-44) | Koblenz, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #177 (25-Nov-44) | Merseburg, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #180 (30-Nov-44) | Lutzkendorf, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #182 (06-Dec-44) | Merseburg, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #183 (10-Dec-44) | Koblenz, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #184 (11-Dec-44) | Koblenz, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #187 (18-Dec-44) | Mainz, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #188 (24-Dec-44) | Babenhausen, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #190 (30-Dec-44) | Mannheim, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #191 (31-Dec-44) | Wenzendorf, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #192 (01-Jan-45) | Dollberg, Germany | 42-32080 | ABORT #3 Eng out |
| #193 (02-Jan-45) | Nalbach, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #194 (03-Jan-45) | Koblenz, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #195 (05-Jan-45) | Waxweiler, Germany | 43-37938 | ABORT Lost formation |
| #196 (06-Jan-45) | Worms, Germany | 43-38940 | |
| #197 (07-Jan-45) | Paderborn, Germany | 43-38905 | |
| #199 (10-Jan-45) | Karlsruhe, Germany | 42-32080 | Cameraman |
| #204 (20-Jan-45) | Heilbronn, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #206 (29-Jan-45) | Kassel, Germany | 42-32080 | |
| #216 (22-Feb-45) | Aalen, Germany | 43-39057 | |
| #217 (23-Feb-45) | Crailsheim, Germany | 43-38849 | |
| #218 (24-Feb-45) | Bremen, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #220 (26-Feb-45) | Berlin, Germany | 43-37797 | |
| #221 (27-Feb-45) | Leipzig, Germany | 43-38940 | |
| #222 (01-Mar-45) | Ulm, Germany | 43-37830 | BECCLAS(?) Replaced by #502 |
| #227 (09-Mar-45) | Frankfurt, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #228 (10-Mar-45) | Dortmund, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #229 (11-Mar-45) | Hamburg, Germany | 42-37871 | Smoke ship |
| #230 (12-Mar-45) | Marburg, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #231 (14-Mar-45) | Hannover, Germany | 43-38950 | ABORT #2 feathered |
| #236 (20-Mar-45) | Hamburg, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #237 (21-Mar-45) | Wittmundhafen, Germany | 43-37797 | |
| #238 (22-Mar-45) | Heibert, Germany area | 43-38950 | |
| #239 (23-Mar-45) | Holzwickede, Germany | 43-38940 | |
| #240 (24-Mar-45) | Varrelsbusch, Germany | 43-38950 | |
| #241 (28-Mar-45) | Hannover, Germany | 43-38950 | Camera |
Rattlesden, undated
| Standing, L-R: |
| Cpl Joe Swyka |
| Lt Robert Johnson |
| F/O Carl Dossenbach |
| Lt Robert K. Phaneuf |
| Cpl Robert Outlaw |
| Kneeling, L-R: |
| Cpl Charles Meshel |
| Cpl Robert Sappington |
| Cpl Richard Hunsbrucher |
From the time he arrived at Rattlesden, Sgt Charles Meshel, ball turret gunner, began drawing his crewmates and others. A few of his drawings are included here.
Dossenbach |
Hunsbrucher |
Gonzales |
Outlaw |
Sappington |
See the growing collection of Lucky Bastard’s Club certificates from the 447th BG.
Some photos/information provided by:
- Charles Meshel