Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story
32 episodes
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Creator: Sai Mun Gani Productions
Synopsis:
[NEW: To see the faces behind the characters' voices, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast]
Audio-drama based on a WWII diary written by Natalie Crouter during her internment in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines.
Three weeks after the first bombings of the Philippines on December 8, 1941, Natalie, her family, and 500 civilians were marched at gunpoint to a deserted U.S. military post (Season One: 1941). Thus began their survival story of body and mind from 1942 to 1945. Under the watchful eyes of Japanese guards, the prisoners set up their own society while constantly scrounging for food—often aided by heroic Filipinos. Japanese commandants and homesick soldiers filtered in and out of camp as guerrillas on the outside fought to take back the Philippines. The camp commandants were civilians plucked from town, a remarkable Japanese officer who saves the internees' lives, and a vicious, demoted lieutenant. Natalie’s diary is a fascinating, real-life view of wartime captivity and a gripping tale of courage, tenacity, and hope.
The original art, entitled "The Double Fence," was drawn by Fern Harrington Miles in 1942. To read about Fern and other prison artists interned with Natalie Crouter, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-artist-credits.
Completion status: Partial
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Episodes:
1943 - Episode 20: Red Cross Rescue (SEASON FINALE)
Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0400
The Camp hospital runs out of beds for dysentery patients. Bedie is discharged too early from the hospital causing Natalie and Jerry to question his health care. Food shortages reduce good pickings from the garbage as prisoners pray that the Red Cross Christmas kits will arrive from Manila. Nida’s world is turned upside down, and Camp Holmes gets a new commandant.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 19: Gaining and Losing Ground
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 16:00:00 -0400
America is gaining ground in the Pacific. The prisoners have more money for food, but it’s becoming scarcer and more expensive. Everyone’s health is declining. Natalie’s vitamin injection goes wrong. Carl returns from an inspection tour of internment camps in Manila with good news. Peg thinks that her husband will be transferred to Camp Holmes, and the Camp’s shop produces an unexpected little surprise.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 18 Epilogue: Internment Survivor Interview, Part 2
Sat, 20 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0400
In the second of three parts, 96-year-old Curt Brooks talks about life at Santo Tomas, a civilian internment camp in Manila which housed 3700 prisoners. In this segment, Curt describes his boyhood memories of imprisonment and survival—of sickness, starvation, friendship, life-saving Red Cross packages and looking down the barrel of a Japanese soldier’s rifle. (Part One can be heard by listening to the Episode 6 Epilogue.)
Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:00:00 -0400
The prisoners are finally allowed to send letters. As Natalie types for them, people pour their hearts out to loved ones at home. The increased clampdown on guerrilla activity affects Nida and Ismael living in Baguio. Peg misses her husband. A guard steps out of bounds at the women’s barracks. A friend dies. The Camp puts on two plays.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 17: We're in the Money!
Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:00:00 -0400
With Japanese occupation money losing value and food shortages, internees take out promissory loans for American dollars after the war. It’s “spend it while you got it” around Camp, and those with money throw elaborate parties while other internees raise money by selling homemade goods at a Camp fair. The guards worry about their fates as they hear news of American advancements in the Pacific.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 16 Epilogue: Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
Fri, 05 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400
Historian and archivist, Jim Zobel talks from the MacArthur Memorial Library about the events in the first half of 1943 with General MacArthur inching closer to Japan. Find out what happened to the two generals in the Clark Field fiasco and hear how the larger-than-life personalities fighting WWII clashed to America’s advantage. Zobel uses “you can’t make this stuff up” stories to describe how divisions between the Army and the Navy and animosity between Generals and Admirals kept the Japanese guessing and helped to win the war. Added to the mix, Zobel tells one incredible story after the other about guerrillas, clandestine submarine landings and civilian rescues.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 16: Social Studies
Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:00:00 -0400
Natalie takes a closer look at everyone’s behavior in camp. New internees share unforgettable stories of heroism and evil. Peg hears word about her husband. The Crouters learn disturbing news about Nida and don’t like Bedie’s reaction to it. Natalie plays a curious round of bridge with Lt. Kira, and the Camp’s new Court of Appeals hears its first criminal trial.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 15: Surrender and Suffrage
Wed, 22 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400
The Japanese order Arthur to hunt down an American hiding in the mountains. Newly captured Americans tell harrowing stories about their life on the run. Nida worries about Ismael. Lt. Mukibo and Mr. Nagatomi get their just rewards. Everyone speculates if Mr. Hayakawa will be replaced, and the women in Camp want the right to vote.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Episode 14: Going Bananas
Wed, 01 May 2024 22:00:00 -0400
Another year of close quarters has prisoners getting on each other’s nerves as they deal with new waves of dysentery. Stories are filtering in from captured internees who had been hiding in the mountains from the Japanese. Mr. Hayakawa is intimidated by a new guard who may be Kempeitai. Phil's brilliant, new invention keeps peace in the dining hall.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1943 - Binge Season Three (Episodes 14 - 20)
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400
Includes all seven episodes in Season Three without the openings and recaps.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1943.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 13 Epilogue: Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400
In this last interview, Jim Zobel shares fascinating insights about MacArthur’s first steps to liberate the Philippines—from the campaign in Papua New Guinea to making early radio contact with guerrillas in the Philippines. Zobel shares true, but unbelievable stories about guerrilla heroes and discusses the brutal Kempeitai, Imperial Japan’s military police. Larger-than-life stories, fascinating WWII history.
On September 30, 2023 the MacArthur Memorial Museum, in Norfolk, VA, will open a military and civilian POW exhibit entitled, The Price of Unpreparedness: POWs in the Philippines during World War II. For more information go to www.macarthurmemorial.org.
1942 - Episode 13: Better and Lesser Angels
Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:00:00 -0400
The holidays are celebrated in bittersweet, internment style. True friends come through. A little boy teaches the camp a lesson. Dysentery returns, and Dr. Hall is not sure how the internees will survive 1943.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 12: Lovers and Guerrillas
Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0400
Bullets fly around Baguio and Camp Holmes as Filipino and Igorot guerrillas attack the Japanese. Natalie worries about Jerry’s depression. Additional co-mingling restrictions increase sexual tensions.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 11: Close Calls
Sun, 21 May 2023 02:00:00 -0400
As typhoon season begins Jerry is brought in for questioning. Nida and Ismael talk about guerrilla insurgencies. Natalie gets a tour of the camp's shop, a special gift, and called to the guard house.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 10 Epilogue: Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
Wed, 10 May 2023 10:00:00 -0400
Jim Zobel describes how General Douglas MacArthur escaped to Australia and Japan took Corregidor. In a lively discussion the archivist explains how shortly after all of these defeats Americans and Filipinos started the fight to take back the Philippines. Hear compelling stories about the Fall of Singapore, the Doolittle Raid, Midway and Guadalcanal. Zobel ties it all together making you want to hear more.
On September 30, 2023 the MacArthur Memorial Museum, in Norfolk, VA, will open a military and civilian POW exhibit entitled, The Price of Unpreparedness: POWs in the Philippines during World War II. For more information go to www.macarthurmemorial.org.
1942 - Episode 10: Auld Lang Syne
Thu, 04 May 2023 20:00:00 -0400
Nida and Ismael offer the Crouters more help. The prisoners get to know the soldiers who cycle through the camp. A secret radio is installed in the camp hospital. June addresses inequities among prisoners. Nakamura gives the prisoners parting gifts.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 9: Home Sweet Holmes
Sat, 08 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400
Nakamura pontificates about American women, and the women make observations about him. All but one of the imprisoned missionaries are released. The Camp John Hay internees move to Camp Holmes. A Chinese internee is tortured.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 8 Epilogue: Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0400
Jim Zobel, archivist at the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial, talks about the museum’s fascinating civilian POW artifacts. The MacArthur historian and author explains why Natalie believed that America was coming to the rescue and what was really happening--why MacArthur's troops retreated to Bataan and MacArthur went to Corregidor. In this fascinating interview, Zobel also describes what life was like under Japanese occupation, how soldiers were treated in Japan’s military, and why Filipinos sided with America.
On September 30, 2023 the MacArthur Memorial Museum, in Norfolk, VA, will open a military and civilian POW exhibit entitled, The Price of Unpreparedness: POWs in the Philippines during World War II. For more information go to www.macarthurmemorial.org.
1942 - Episode 8: Life Goes On
Wed, 22 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0400
Babies are born in the Camp John Hay barracks. Nida and Ismael persevere in Baguio under Imperial Japanese rule. The prisoners put on a show ending with surprise gifts from Nakamura. Interned missionaries are taken into Baguio for interrogation by the dreaded Kempeitai.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Episode 7: High Crimes and Misdemeanors
Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0500
Natalie and her family are interned in Camp John Hay. The Imperial Army appoints a local carpenter to camp commandant. Japanese soldiers and civilians steal from the prisoners. As hunger and dysentery spread through the camp, the internees find ways to survive.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1942 - Binge Season Two (Episodes 7 - 13)
Fri, 01 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0400
Includes all seven episodes in Season Two without the openings and recaps. Does not include epilogues.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Episode 6 Epilogue: Internment Survivor Interview, Part 1
Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0400
From age 13 to 16, Curt Brooks and his family were interned in Manila at Santo Tomas prison. In this first of three interviews, 96-year-old Curt gives a first-hand account of living in Manila during the pre-war years of the 1930s, December 8, and the events leading up to his family’s internment.
Sun, 27 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0400
The Imperial Japanese Army has raised the Rising Sun flag over Baguio City Hall. Soldiers are freeing Japanese civilians and capturing Americans and Allies. At Brent School, the Crouters and other civilian prisoners are forced onto the school’s tennis court to hear relocation orders from a freed Japanese civilian standing on a table with a machine gun at his side.
NEW! You can view Natalie's original diary entry and a sketch drawn by a woman who was interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under this episode's description at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Episode 5: How to Pack a Suitcase
Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:00:00 -0500
The invasion phase has begun. Nida leaves Baguio while the Crouters move to Brent School and wait for the enemy to arrive. During the turmoil, Ismael and Jerry have a heart-to-heart talk, and Natalie honors a vow.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Episode 4 Epilogue: Is Help Coming?
Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:00:00 -0500
While Natalie is hopeful that the U.S. will arrive any day to rescue the Philippines, a much different scenario is playing out in Washington, DC.
1941 - Episode 4: Hobson's Choice
Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:00:00 -0500
Eighty Japanese warships have reached Lingayen Gulf only 18 miles away! Natalie and Jerry watch their last source of income go up in smoke. Carl calls in the early morning to tell the Crouters that they have two hours to decide whether to stay or leave Baguio.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
Sun, 13 Feb 2022 16:00:00 -0500
The U.S. and Japan are at war and anything can happen. As bombings continue, the Crouters turn their radio’s dial hoping to hear news of help from the mainland. Jerry’s new air-raid shelter becomes a hub for exchanging news and rumors.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Episode 2 Epilogue: What Happened?
Thu, 03 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0500
On December 8, how did Japan cripple America a second time after Pearl Harbor? Listen to an intimate, hour-by-hour timeline of how General Douglas MacArthur reacted.
1941 - Episode 2: The Second Pearl Harbor
Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0500
Jerry and Natalie see the first bombing of the Philippines from their back door, but no one downtown seems to know about it. Soon the situation becomes all too real for everyone as the Japanese continue to bomb Baguio. Jerry hears disconcerting news about Clark Field.
NEW! You can view drawings by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the description of this episode at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Episode 1: On Pins and Needles in Baguio
Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:00:00 -0500
It’s December 1941, and the Philippines is in Japan’s crosshairs. They’ve invaded China, Korea, and French Indochina. Will the Philippines be next? If so, when? In the town of Baguio, nestled in the mountains on the Philippine Island of Luzon, Jerry and Natalie Crouter wait and watch along with everyone else, wondering what’s going to happen next.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
1941 - Binge Season One (Episodes 1 - 6)
Tue, 11 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500
Includes all six episodes in Season One without the openings and recaps. Does not include epilogues.
NEW! You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen.
To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
Prologue: The Story Behind the Story
Fri, 07 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500
Listen to the prologue if you want to hear about the background of the book, "Forbidden Diary," upon which this audio drama is based.
NEW! You can view the book upon which this audio drama is based by clicking See Picture at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen.