Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story

Sai Mun Gani Productions

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 of body and mind from 1942 to 1945. Natalie’s story is a fascinating, real-life view of wartime captivity and a gripping tale of courage, tenacity, and hope. Included are interviews with Jim Zobel, historian and archivist at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA, and Curt Brooks who was interned in a civilian prison in Manila during WWII.  The cover art incorporates a sketch entitled, "The Double Fence," by Fern Harrington Miles. To read about Fern and other prison artists interned with Natalie, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-artist-credits. Original artifacts, prison art and Natalie's original diary entry, can be viewed by going to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen and clicking on See Pictures. You can also see the Forbidden Diary cast by going to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. 

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  1. 1944, Part One - Binge Season Four (Episodes 21 - 27)

    07/01/2025

    1944, Part One - Binge Season Four (Episodes 21 - 27)

    Includes all seven episodes in Season Four, Part One, without the recaps. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    4h 43m
  2. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 21: Heroic Medicine

    07/31/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 21: Heroic Medicine

    June becomes deathly ill. More Red Cross packages are distributed, including medical packages with a new medical supply called plasma which Camp doctors try on June. A new invention saves the day, an internee dies, and Mr. Tomibe expressed his deep condolences. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    44 min
  3. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 22: Back to the Bad Old Days

    09/03/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 22: Back to the Bad Old Days

    Prisoner escapes and worries about MacArthur returning to the Philippines and has High Command clamping down on internment camps, sending new rules that Mr. Tomibe must enforce. Prisoners learn more about Mr. Tomibe. Nida hears news about her husband Ismael.  To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    44 min
  4. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 23: Internment-itus

    09/17/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 23: Internment-itus

    Mr. Tomibe tries to help prisoners get food from the outside and allows married couples to live together. Natalie is dumbstruck that half of the Camp is against Mr. Tomibe's Family Unit Plan. Letters from home finally arrive, and Peg gets a special surprise. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    33 min
  5. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 24: No Good Deed

    10/07/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 24: No Good Deed

    Mr. Tomibe allows a couple to get married in Camp and tries to improve life for prisoners while following High Command’s draconian rules. Japanese soldiers are upset about the prisoners’ bad manners, and Mr. Tomibe implores prisoners not to escape.  To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    38 min
  6. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 25: Consequences

    10/21/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 25: Consequences

    The Kempeitai interrogate and torture three internees (Gene, Bill and Jim) whom they suspect of helping Wick and Ritchie escape. Mr. Tomibe intercedes and rescues them. Nida, Auntie and Jorge talk about Filipinos being tortured in town. Mr. Tomibe gives Jim a poignant gift. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    44 min
  7. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 26: Going Underground

    11/04/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 26: Going Underground

    Natalie pitches a very public fit over people rejecting family living and finds herself having to explain why to Bedie. The Crouters and other families dig living spaces under the barracks. Mr. Tomibe reads a story to Miss McKim’s Japanese class. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    39 min
  8. 1944, Part 1 - Episode 27: The Wise Prince (SEASON FINALE)

    11/18/2025

    1944, Part 1 - Episode 27: The Wise Prince (SEASON FINALE)

    Natalie hosts Japanese class in her underground cubicle. Mr. Tomibe struggles to stop the name calling in Camp. The Crouters fight over food. Natalie helps Nida. High Command punishes Mr. Tomibe. The audio of children singing A Sailor Went to Sea is courtesy of the 14th Henrietta Street Museum, Dublin, Ireland.  https://14henriettastreet.ie. To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. Support the show

    49 min
See All Season 4 (8)

4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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 of body and mind from 1942 to 1945. Natalie’s story is a fascinating, real-life view of wartime captivity and a gripping tale of courage, tenacity, and hope. Included are interviews with Jim Zobel, historian and archivist at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA, and Curt Brooks who was interned in a civilian prison in Manila during WWII.  The cover art incorporates a sketch entitled, "The Double Fence," by Fern Harrington Miles. To read about Fern and other prison artists interned with Natalie, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-artist-credits. Original artifacts, prison art and Natalie's original diary entry, can be viewed by going to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen and clicking on See Pictures. You can also see the Forbidden Diary cast by going to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast. 

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