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Sunday, July 25, 2010

1st Maori pilot: Porokoru Patapu (John) Pohe

Another interesting doc from New Zealand. Not a woman pilot, but interesting just the same:

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/turangaarere-the-john-pohe-story-2008

Porokoru Patapu (John) Pohe was the first Māori pilot in the RNZAF. Nicknamed 'Lucky Johnny', he was a WWII hero who flew an amazing 22 missions, was involved in the legendary 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III, and insisted on removing his blindfold when he faced a German firing squad. This award-winning docu-drama tells Pohe's extraordinary life story. When the doco screened on Māori Television, Listener reviewer Diana Wichtel called it "a terrific yarn", and it won Best Documentary Aotearoa at the 2008 Wairoa Māori Film Festival Awards.

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