Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story

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.

You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by ...

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.

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-li...

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. 

You can view paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under this episode's description at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen. 

To see the Forbidden Diary cast, go to www.storiestovoice.com/fd-cast.

Support the show

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.

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 For...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

You can view Natalie's original diary entry and a sket...

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.

You can view artifacts as well as paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at w...

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.

You can view artifacts as well as paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descript...

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 occupati...

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.

You can view artifacts as well as 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....

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.
 
You can view artifacts as well as paintings and sketches drawn by people who were interned with Natalie by clicking See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiest...

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,...

 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.

You can view artifacts as well as 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 t...

 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.

You can view artifacts as well as 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 F...