19 episodes
Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story Sai Mun Gani Productions
-
- History
-
-
4.9 • 15 Ratings
-
(NEW! You can now binge all of Season One and Season Two at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen and www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen-1942.) 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 first two commandants were civilians plucked from town, the third a remarkable Japanese officer with whom the prisoners found common ground, and the last a demoted lieutenant who was “a real S.O.B.” Natalie’s diary is a fascinating, real-life view of wartime captivity and a gripping tale of courage, tenacity, and hope.
-
1942 - Episode 7: High Crimes and Misdemeanors
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.
Support the Show. -
1942 - Episode 8: Life Goes On
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.
Support the Show. -
1942 - Epilogue (Episode 8): Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
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.
Support the Show. -
1942 - Episode 9: Home Sweet Holmes
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.
Support the Show. -
1942 - Episode 10: Auld Lang Syne
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.
Support the Show. -
1942 - Epilogue: (Episode 10) Interview with MacArthur Memorial Archivist
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.
Support the Show.
Customer Reviews
A professionally done delight…
This podcast spared nothing in terms of production. As a half Filipino woman, I love that Chris (the creator and producer) took an interest in the diary and obviously worked hard to bring her concept to life. This is a well done “page turner” podcast that will leave you wanting more. Season 2, please!
Unknown history
This story is so interesting and I like the format, like an old time radio show. I also never learned about these events in history class! I am hooked and I am really enjoying listening to this podcast. Jennie T.
Love this!
What an awesome show! Can’t wait for the next episode!