List of all U-boats

U-143

Type

IID

 
Ordered25 Sep 1939
Laid down3 Jan 1940 Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 272)
Launched10 Aug 1940
Commissioned18 Sep 1940Oblt. Ernst Mengersen (Knights Cross)
Commanders
18 Sep 1940 - 2 Nov 1940  Kptlt. Ernst Mengersen (Knights Cross)
9 Dec 1940 - 19 Mar 1941  Oblt. Helmut Möhlmann (Knights Cross)
20 Mar 1941 - 30 Mar 1941  Oblt. Jürgen von Rosenstiel
31 Mar 1941 - 19 Nov 1941  Oblt. Harald Gelhaus (Knights Cross)
19 Nov 1941 - 7 Apr 1942  Kptlt. Helmut Manseck (German Cross in Gold)
8 Apr 1942 - 14 Dec 1942  Oblt. Gerhard Groth
15 Dec 1942 - 8 Feb 1943  Oblt. Erwin Schwager
9 Feb 1943 - 29 May 1944  Oblt. Hans Vogel
30 May 1944 - 5 May 1945  Oblt. Walter Kasparek
Career
4 patrols
18 Sep 1940-2 Nov 1940  1. Flottille (training)
3 Nov 1940-31 Dec 1940  24. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1941-1 Apr 1941  22. Flottille (school boat)
1 Apr 1941-12 Sep 1941  3. Flottille (active service)
13 Sep 1941-5 May 1945  22. Flottille (school boat)
Successes1 ship sunk, total tonnage 1,409 GRT
Fate

Surrendered on 5 May 1945 at Heligoland, Germany.

Transferred from Wilhelmshaven to Loch Ryan on 30 June 1945 for Operation Deadlight.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk on 22 Dec, 1945 in position 55.58N, 09.35W.

Final location

See the 1 ships hit by U-143 - View the 4 war patrols

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-143 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 2 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Black Beetle

Reichenberg, Castle on Shield

Media links


The Grey Wolves of Eriboll

David M. Hird


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament, 1942-1947

Madsen, Chris


amazon.com
($ 58.77)


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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