List of all U-boats

U-143

Type

IID

Ordered

25 Sep 1939

Laid down

3 Jan 1940

Deutsche Werke AG, 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	Oblt. Jürgen von Rosenstiel
31 Mar 1941	-	19 Nov 1941	Oblt. Harald Gelhaus (Knights Cross)
19 Nov 1941	-	7 Apr 1942	Kptlt. Helmut Manseck
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	-	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 (active service)
13 Sep 1941	-	8 May 1945	22. Flottille (school boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 1,409 GRT

Fate

Surrendered on 5 May 1945 at Heligoland, Germany.

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.

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.