In the last issue we published errata for Supermarina, including that little was known about the Italian AMC Ramb III, a banana boat that appeared in the Otranto Straits scenano.

Brooks Rowlett has found Ramb III in a 1942 edition of Talbot-Booth's merchant Ships, a publication similar in format to Jane's Fighting Ships.

At 3700 grt, Ramb III is a size class C, and has a speed of 17 knots. "Ramb" stands for "Regia Azienda Monopolio Banane."

Mike Kelly has also provided information on her history Ramb III operated in the Mediterranean.

According to Bragadin's Italian Navy in World War II (Naval Institute Press, 1957) she was escorting a four-ship convoy from Valone, Albania to Brindisi on the night of 12th November 1940 when she was attacked by a British cruiser squadron. After firing 19 salvoes (not 18 or 20, Bragadin clearly states 19) Ramb III made good her escape (an accompanying torpedo boat Fabrizi was badly damaged, and all four merchant ships sunk, but that's another matter). Following torpedo damage while in Benghazi harbor on 30th May 1941 she returned to Trieste for repairs, where she was still sitting, awaiting completion, at the time of the Italian Armistice. Taken over by the Germans, she served briefly as a troop transport from November 1943 until becoming a mine ship in February 1944 under the name Kiebitz. Hit by three bombs from American aircraft while in Fiume harbor, Kiebitz burnt out and sank at 2030 hours on 5th November 1944. Following the war she was salvaged by Yugoslavia, serving as State yacht and training ship Galeb from 1950 on - in 1996 she was one of 16 ships transferred from Yugoslavia to Montenegro, then sold to an American as a floating office block. Still afloat, and serving a purpose.

Thanks to Brooks and Mike for their digging.