Type: II-D
Built by: Deutsche Werke (Kiel)
Launched: 27 July, 1940
Commissioned: 4 September, 1940
Feldpost Nr.: M32187
Sunk: 2 May, 1945
Sunk by: Her crew
Location sunk: Wilhelmshaven
Position sunk: not applicable (no men lost)

Skippers of U-142 include Nico Clausen (KNIGHTS CROSS) to October 1940 and he also commanded U-37, U-41, U-129 and U-182 where he was killed in action; Paul-Hugo Kettner until October 1941 and he also commanded U-379 where he was killed in action; JOHANN-OTTO KRIEG (199-1986) from October 1941 to December 1942 and he also commanded U-81 then he commanded a group of one-man and two-man U-Boats; Laudahn who also commanded U-1194 and U-262; Schauroth who also commanded U-146; Lindke; Hans-Joachim Bertelsmann who also commanded U-603 where he was killed in action; Baumgartel who also commanded U-17.

U-142 was first assigned to the 1st U-BootFlottille, then went to the 24th and the 22nd as a Schulboot (school boat). She was scuttled by her crew in Wilhelmshaven at the end of the War, but was salvaged and scrapped by the Allies sometime between 1947 and 1953.

U-142 attacked no shipping at all during the war.