Johnny Pohe and the Great Escape
Porokoru Patapu (Johnny) Pohe was a daring and gifted pilot who flew bomber aircraft in the Second World War.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 4 May 2019
Reading year level: 8
Category: Non-fiction
Topics: bombers, bombing, courage, escape, flying, history, Hitler, ingenuity, internment, Johnny Pohe, Māori, Māori Battalion, pilots, prison camps, prisoners of war, RNZAF, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Second World War, Stalag Lu¡ III, the Great Escape, tunnelling, war crimes, World War II
Johnny Pohe and the Great Escape
By Philip Cleaver
In 1943, after twenty-two successful missions, his aircraft was shot down and he was captured. Johnny was taken to Stalag Luft III, a prison camp deep in Nazi Germany. This article tells the story of an ambitious prison escape that ended tragically for Johnny and for many others. It includes information about Māori involvement in the Second World War and about the devastating impact of bombing civilians in Germany.
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More from this series
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School Journal Level 4 May 2019
Inside this School Journal are two stories (Four of a Kind; Springers), one play (The Name Game), one poem (Fly), and two articles ( Johnny Pohe and the Great Escape; Resistance: When Antibiotics Don’t Work)
1 of 6Four of a Kind
When the school cannot find a rugby coach for the year, the boys joined the netball team.
2 of 6Springers
“Springers” is a fictional story set in a rest home, where George and his daughter are visiting his elderly mum.
3 of 6The Name Game
Who ever thought a simple game could be so challenging?
4 of 6Fly
A poem from Lynley Edmeades about the life of pilot Johnny Rohe, who was taken prisoner during the Second World War.
5 of 6Resistance - When Antibiotics Do Not Work
How do antibiotics work? What will happen if they don’t?
6 of 6
