NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
U137		266	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	11.1939	18.5.1940	6.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U138		267	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	11.1939	18.5.1940	6.1940	sunk 18.6.1941
U139		268	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	11.1939	28.6.1940	7.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U140		269	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	11.1939	28.6.1940	8.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U141		270	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	12.1939	27.7.1940	8.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U142		271	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	12.1939	27.7.1940	9.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U143		272	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	1.1940	10.8.1940	9.1940	surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 22.12.1945
U144		273	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	1.1940	24.8.1940	10.1940	sunk 9.8.1941
U145		274	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	3.1940	21.9.1940	10.1940	surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 22.12.1945
U146		275	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	3.1940	21.9.1940	10.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U147		276	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	4.1940	16.11.1940	12.1940	sunk 2.6.1941
U148		277	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	4.1940	16.11.1940	12.1940	scuttled 2.5.1945
U149		279	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	5.1940	19.10.1940	11.1940	surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 21.12.1945
U150		280	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	5.1940	19.10.1940	11.1940	surrendered 5.1945, scuttled 21.12.1945
U151		281	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	7.1940	14.12.1940	1.1941	scuttled 2.5.1945
U152			Deutsche Werke, Kiel	7.1940	14.12.1940	1.1941	scuttled 2.5.1945

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	314 / 364
Length, m	44.0
Breadth, m	4.92
Draught, m	3.93
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 MWM diesels / 2 SSW electric motors
Power, h. p.	700 / 410
Max speed, kts	12.7 / 7.4
Fuel, t	diesel oil 38
Endurance, nm(kts)	5650(8) / 56(4)
Armament	1 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, 3 - 533 TT (bow, 5 or 18 mines)
Electronic equipment	GHG hydrophone
Complement	22
Diving depth operational, m	80

Standard scale images

Project history

First submarines built in Germany after a cancellation of Versailles limitations. As prototype Finnish submarine Vesikko, designed in Germany on the basis of coastal submarines of types UB-II and UF of the First World War period was been taken.  II series submarines differed from a prototype by increased machinery power and fuel stowage and improved manoeuvrability. These submarines received in Kriegsmarine nickname "canoe".

Single-hulled, with internal ballast tanks. Operational diving depth was 80m, maximal 120m; diving time was 25-35sec. Welding, widely used at building, allowed to lower hull weight. Differences between types were brought together basically to increasing of hull dimensions and fuel stowage. First two series originally did not receive artillery, guns were installed already during service; since type IIC 20mm MG has been included in the project. Instead of torpedoes submarines could carry 12 TMA or 18 TMB mines.

To beginning of war majority of boats of II series served in training role, but then they began to be got to take part in battle operations, including minelaying.

Modernizations

1942-1943, many survived: + FuMO 30 radar, FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite

1943-1944, most survived: - FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite; + FuMB 3 Bali, FuMB 6 Palau ECM suites

1944-1945, some survived: - FuMO 30 radar; + FuMO 61 radar

Naval service

U138 was sunk 18.6.1941 by British destroyers Faulknor, Fearless, Foresight, Forester and Foxhound W off Cadiz. U144 was torpedoed 10.8.1941 by Soviet submarine Shch-307 W off Dago. U147 was sunk 2.6.1941 by British destroyer Wanderer and corvette Periwinkle NW off Ireland.

Following submarines were scuttled by crews: U137, U139, U140, U141, U142, U146, U148, U151 and U152 5.5.1945 at Wilhelmshaven.

U143, U145, U149 and U150 surrendered and were scuttled by Allies during operation "Deadlight".