Type: II-D
Built by: Deutsche Werke (Kiel)
Launched: 10 August, 1940
Commissioned: 18 September, 1940
Feldpost Nr.: M24039
Sunk: 1945/6
Sunk by: Operation Deadlight
Location sunk: North Atlantic
Position sunk: unknown (no men lost)

Skippers of U-143 include Ernst Mengersen (KNIGHTS CROSS) from 18 September 1940 until November 1940 and he also commanded U-18, U-101 and U-607; Harald Gelhaus (KNIGHTS CROSS) also commanded U-107; Schwäger; Helmut Manseck who also commanded U-758, U-3002, U-3007 and U-3008; Helmut Möhlmann (KNIGHTS CROSS) who also commanded U-571; Jürgen Rosensteil who also commanded U-502 where he was killed in action; Hans Vogel who also commanded U-3001 and U-3025; Gerhard Groth who also commanded U-958 and U-397; and Kasparek.

U-143 was attached to the 1st U-BootFlottille then to the 3rd from April 1941 until September 1941 and she had three war patrols in the North Atlantic. She eventually went to the 22nd and 24th U-BootFlottille as a Schulboot (school boat). She was surrendered to the Allies on 30 June 1945 and eventually taken out to sea off the northwestern tip of Ireland and scuttled in Operation ‘DEADLIGHT’.

SHIPS SUNK BY U-143 UNDER GELHAUS
23.08.41	INGER	Norw stmr	1,418 GRT