U-143

Type

IID

Ordered

25 Sep, 1939

Laid down

3 Jan, 1940

Deutsche Werke, Kiel (werk 272)

Launched

10 Aug, 1940

Commissioned

18 Sep, 1940

Oblt. 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	Jürgen von Rosenstiel
31 Mar, 1941 - 30 Apr, 1941	Oblt. Harald Gelhaus (Knights Cross)
19 Nov, 1941 - 7 Apr, 1942	Kptlt. Helmut Manseck
8 Apr, 1942 - 14 Dec, 1942	Gerhard Groth
15 Dec, 1942 - 8 Feb, 1943	Erwin Schwager
9 Feb, 1943 - 29 May, 1944	Hans Vogel
30 May, 1944 - 8 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 (front boat)
13 Sep, 1941 - 8 May, 1945  22. Flottille (school boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 1.409 GRT

Fate

Transferred from Wilhelmshaven, Germany to Loch Ryan, Scotland 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.

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.