German submarine U-145 (1940)

German submarine U-145 was a Type IID U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on 29 March 1940 at Deutsche Werke in Kiel as yard number 274, launched on 21 September and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Heinrich Driver.

Her service was carried out, first with the 1st U-boat Flotilla then the 22nd flotilla; she stayed with the latter organization for most of her career.

Design
German Type IID submarines were enlarged versions of the original Type IIs. U-145 had a displacement of 314 t when at the surface and 364 t while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was 250 LT, however. The U-boat had a total length of 43.97 m, a pressure hull length of 29.80 m, a beam of 4.92 m, a height of 8.40 m, and a draught of 3.93 m. The submarine was powered by two MWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines of 700 PS for cruising, two Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 410 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 0.85 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 80 - 150 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.4 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 35 - 42 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 3800 nmi at 8 kn. U-145 was fitted with three 53.3 cm torpedo tubes at the bow, five torpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a 2 cm anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of 25.

Operational career
U-145 did not sink or damage any ships, but she conducted three war patrols all in 1941.