Driver to present Sunrise ANZAC Special

Oliver Driver presents a Sunrise Anzac Special to commemorate Anzac Day.

The exclusive coverage includes a series of mini-documentaries detailing the experiences of five Kiwi WWII pilots, which include:

‘Dambuster’ – an interview with former Squadron Leader, Les Munro, the last surviving Dambusters pilot who flew his Lancaster bomber in the incredible 1943 raid on dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley.

‘Mosquito’ – Allan George was a decorated Mosquito bomber and pathfinder pilot in WWII, he gives us a unique insight into the experiences of New Zealand pilots during this time.

‘Tempest’ – Jack Stafford was a Tempest fighter pilot during WWII, some of his most dangerous missions included shooting down ‘doodlebug’ bombs in mid-air.

‘St Amiens’ – Bob Fowler was part of a squadron of Mosquito pilots who successfully bombed a prison in Amiens, France, and helped free over 100 French resistance fighters.

‘Spitfire’ – Alan Peart singlehandedly fought off attacks by over twenty Japanese fighter planes over Burma and lived to tell the tale.

The Sunrise Anzac Special will also feature Gaylene Preston’s celebrated documentary The Time Of Our Lives, plus the Inside New Zealand
documentary: The Shadow of Vietnam. Mike McRoberts’ 60 Minutes interview with VC recipient Willie Apiata will also screen.

Joining Oliver in studio will be Ian Brodie from the NZ Fighter Pilots’ Museum in Wanaka and Tim Hanna, who is currently writing a book on the
life of legendary Air Chief Marshal, Sir Keith Park. Plus Mike McRoberts presents a special report on current New Zealand military postings around the world.

3 News at 6pm will also feature coverage from Anzac Day commemorations around the country.