Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story
[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.
Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story
1943 - Episode 16: Social Studies
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.