Type: II-D
Built by: Deutsche Werke (Kiel)
Launched: 26 May, 1940
Commissioned: 24 July, 1940
Feldpost Nr.: M05132
Sunk: 2 May, 1945
Sunk by: Her crew
Location sunk: Wilhelmshaven
Position sunk: not applicable (no men lost)

Skippers of U-139 include KK Robert Bartels who also commanded U-561 and U-197 where he was killed in action; KL Albert Lauzemis who also commanded U-37 & U-68 where he was killed in action; OL Bottcher; OL Günther Lube who also commanded U-552; KL Sommer who also commanded U-78 and U-853; OL Ratke (from 15 October, 1940); KL Horst Elfe (from 21 December, 1940) who also commanded U-93; OL Hubertus Korndorfer who also commanded U-407 and U-3537; KL Heiko Fenn who also commanded U-445; OL Kimmelmann who was the Skipper in command when the boat was scuttled by her crew in Wilhelmshaven harbor. U-139 was raised sometime between 1947 and 1953, and broken up for scrap.

Charter Member ERNST SCHMIDT (10-1983) trained aboard U-139 in October, 1941 under Heiko Fenn. ERNST is the author of our ‘DID YOU KNOW’ column.

U-139 underwent her shakedown trials in the Baltic, and had war patrols in the Baltic and along the Baltic coast 16 July to 31 August, 1941. She then became a schulboot (school boat).

U-139 sank no ships and made no attacks during World War II.