Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story
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.
To see Natalie's original diary entry, artifacts and prison art, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen and click on See Pictures.
To see the cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.
- Update frequency
- every 15 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 36
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
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 Chin…
1942 - Episode 8 Epilogue: 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 Amer…
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 mission…
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 dysenter…
1942 - Binge Season Two (Episodes 7 - 13)
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 clicki…
1941 - Episode 6 Epilogue: Internment Survivor Interview, Part 1
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 …
1941 - Episode 6: Banzai!
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 ci…
1941 - Episode 5: How to Pack a Suitcase
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…
1941 - Episode 4 Epilogue: Is Help Coming?
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
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 t…
1941 - Episode 3: Early Days
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…
1941 - Episode 2 Epilogue: What Happened?
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
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 conti…
1941 - Episode 1: On Pins and Needles in Baguio
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 …
1941 - Binge Season One (Episodes 1 - 6)
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…
Prologue: The Story Behind the Story
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…