I know this is kind of a strange and specific question but it relates to a story my grandmother used to tell me about her uncle during WW2. She would say he was captured as a POW but managed to escape with a Maori man because the Germans were scared of him. I know this probably isn't true but does it have any relation to fact. Were there any mention of how Maori or Pacific islanders were perceived?
I am currently reading Paul Carell's Foxes of the Desert, about the Western Desert Campaign from a German perspective. Carell was an Allgemeine SS official and had some part in the Holocaust, which I think is somewhat relevant in this matter.
While describing the Battle of Mersa Matruh, Carell goes on at length about the Maori attacks to break out. He describes them as fierce fighters and extremely courageous, and he speaks only with respect. This is a German with heavy involvement in Nazi policies, so one might think that since he has no ill will of the Maori then neither would less indoctrinated Germans.
I know that's not really an academic source, so I understand why if it's removed.