Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story cover art

Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story

Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story

By: Sai Mun Gani Productions
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About this listen

[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.

© 2025 Forbidden Diary: True WWII Prison Survival Story
Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Prologue: The Story Behind the Story
    Jan 7 2022

    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 clicking See Picture at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen.

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    4 mins
  • 1941 - Binge Season One (Episodes 1 - 6)
    Jan 11 2022

    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 See Pictures under the episode descriptions at www.storiestovoice.com/fd-listen.

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

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    2 hrs and 25 mins
  • 1941 - Episode 1: On Pins and Needles in Baguio
    Feb 1 2022

    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.

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

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    25 mins

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worth the wait

this story is interesting and intriguing the only down side is waiting so long for each episode to come out.

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