← Against The Odds
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- [00:00]
Audible Announcer
Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of against the Odds ad free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
- [00:08]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
A listener note. Against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events. Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research. US Navy nurse Mary Rose Harrington shovels a huge forkful of salted beef into her mouth. It's noon on December 10, 1941. She's been working nonstop for two days, and she's ravenous. She's sitting in the common room of her dormitory on the Cavite Naval Base in the Philippines outside Manila. Her squad of 11 other nurses is eating around the table with her. Usually, lunchtime is lively here, full of chit chat, but today there's not much light talk. Three days ago, Japanese warplanes attacked the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, killing and wounding thousands of sailors. This act of war stunned Harrington and her fellow nurses. Since then, they've been working frantically to transfer patients from the bases hospital, just in case the Japanese bomb Cavite Next, any talk at lunch today focuses on the coming war. Harrington has strong opinions. Japan caught us off guard with that sneak attack, but we'll pummel them in a fair fight. The other nurses nod in agreement. Suddenly, an air raid siren sounds. The whole table groans. This is the third siren already today, and none have amounted to anything. But rules are rules. They have to head down to the dirty crawl space beneath their building and shelter. There, Harrington refuses to miss a meal for another false alarm. She stands up, plate in hand. The other women follow her lead. Within a minute, they're in the crawl space, an unlit cavity with a dirt floor. It's full of spiderwebs and lizards darting about. The ceiling is so low they can barely move around. The nurses sit cross legged on the dirt and continue eating. Some pretend they're having a picnic and joke about passing the corn on the cob. It's some welcome levity after days of stress. But a minute later, Harrington hears the drone of approaching planes. A pair of cooks standing near the door of the shelter yell that the Japanese are here. The nurses stop eating and exchange worried glances. Before long, they hear the boom of artillery shells from the base's defense units. This is real. After another minute, a bomb drops so close that the building above them shakes. Several nurses cry out and drop their plates. Dust falls from the ceiling. Several more bombs follow. Harrington pulls out a rosary from beneath her shirt and starts working the beads. A few nurses cover their heads with their arms. Another nurse, the CYN Dorothy, still scoffs at this. No use trying to protect yourself. If a bomb hits this building, we're goners. Harrington scowls. Dorothy might be right, but why say it out loud? The next hour is the longest of Harrington's life. The whole earth shakes each time a bomb slams down. Her ears ring and there's a pungent odor in the air. Smoke, burning rubber and gunpowder from the bombs. All she can do is pray as hard as she can. After three rosaries, the all clear siren finally sounds. Harrington and the other nurses hesitantly emerge from the crawl space. Outside, they're greeted by devastation. People scream in pain from every direction. Two buildings have been reduced to rubble. Bomb craters, some of them still smoking, pockmark the road. The base itself seems ringed by fire as flames engulf structures and vehicles in the distance. Manila is burning, too. Behind her, Harrington's boss, chief nurse Laura Cobb, barks out orders. Everyone report to the hospital immediately. We're about to see a flood of patients. The nurses break into a run. Harrington has never felt so afraid. She's treated plenty of injuries before, but never any war wounds. There's a deeper element to her fear as well. For the past few days, she's been telling everyone that the mighty American military will rout Japan. But seeing the destruction around her now, she realizes that maybe Japan won't be such a pushover after all. And if that's the case, she could find herself far from home, plunged into the middle of a terrible war.
- [05:20]
Advertisement Voice / Adobe Acrobat Announcer
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- [05:55]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
From Audible originals I'm Cassie Depechel, and this is against the Odds. World War II began in Europe in September 1939 without U.S. involvement. But there were simmering tensions between the United States and Japan over territories in Asia. The Philippines was a particular point of conflict. At the time, the nation was an American colony, but Japan coveted its natural resources and strategic location. These tensions exploded in December 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl harbor, forcing the US into the war. Soon after, Japan attacked military targets near Manila before launching a ground invasion. As part of their takeover, they rounded up captives. Among those taken prisoner were 12 U.S. navy nurses. Over the next few years, these nurses would face confinement in one brutal prison camp after another, forced to rely on their wits, resourcefulness, and each other to survive. This is episode one, an act of war. Dorothy still slouches on the couch, flipping through the latest issue of Life magazine. It's November 1937, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother sits next to her, peppering her with questions. Dorothy ignores her, keeping her eyes fixed on the article she's reading. Finally, her mother slaps the magazine out of Dorothy's hands. Dorothy, give me a straight answer. Why did the clinic let you go? I told you, Mom. The older nurses pushed me out. But why you? Are you sure you didn't do anything? Dorothy glares, snapping that she wishes her mother would take her side for once, but her mother won't let it go. She insists that there must be a reason that Dorothy can't hold down a job. They go round and round until Dorothy's mother throws her hands up and trudges into the kitchen. Dorothy watches her go, her cheeks burning in shame beneath her short blonde hair. She's almost 23, but is unemployed and still living at home. As a child, Dorothy dreamed of designing costumes for Hollywood. She loves the spectacle of big musicals, the feathered boas and sparkling sequins. The Great Depression killed that dream. Her mother urged her to go into nursing instead, as a safe, practical career. Dorothy reluctantly agreed, but the Depression hit nursing hard, too, and Dorothy has burned through three jobs in two years. She got pushed out of her most recent position by a trio of older nurses who feared being replaced. They kept giving her the hopeless cases, then complaining to her supervisor when the patients got worse. It was humiliating, and talking to her mother about it only makes things worse. Dorothy resumes flipping through the magazine to distract herself. Near the back, a photo catches her eye. It shows a group of nurses in white uniforms and hats, laughing. It's an article about nurses who serve in the US Navy. The discipline of military life has never appealed to Dorothy, but as she reads more, she gets intrigued. Navy nurses get a regular, guaranteed salary. They also travel a lot. The Navy especially needs nurses in the Philippines. Dorothy has no idea where the Philippines is, so she goes to the bookshelf, pulls down an encyclopedia and starts to read. She learns that it's a chain of 7,000 islands southeast of the Chinese mainland. For more than 300 years, it had been under Spanish control until it was turned over to the United States after the Spanish American War in 1899. The photos portray a lovely place. Lush foliage, exotic birds, and welcoming people. Dorothy grabs the magazine again and sees an address listed in the article to send resumes. She tears the page out. Dorothy hopes she's not wasting a stamp, but she's going to look into this military nursing gig. Maybe this will be the job that makes her like nursing and keeps her mother off her back. Laura Cobb glides across the dance floor while a small orchestra plays in the corner. Cobb is wearing her fanciest dress, a green silk number. She's 48, but she's currently dancing with a 22 year old Marine whose light on is flying feet. He spins her around and pulls her back.
- [11:02]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
You're an awfully good dancer, ma'.
- [11:04]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Am. Ma'. Am. I should have you court martialed. Call me Laura. The Marine laughs as the song ends. Another partner cuts in and Cobb starts twirling again. It's March 1941, at a swanky hotel ballroom in Manila. Cobb never dreamed she'd live somewhere like the Philippines. She was born in Kansas. After graduating high school, she first worked as a teacher, then enrolled in nursing school and joined the Navy. She's never settled down or had a family. Instead, she's gotten to see the world. But Manila is her favorite place she's lived. There's a thriving expat community and lively nightlife. Their hospital mostly treats sailors who get sick or injured during training and and it's frankly not that demanding. Due to the heat and humidity. Most months nurses work just four hour shifts, which leaves plenty of time to socialize and attend dances. Cobb's never had so much fun. It's hard to believe that across the globe, Europe is embroiled in war. But as long as America stays out of it, Cobb's not too worried. After the next song ends, Cobb excuses herself to powder her nose. She crosses the veranda and sees a gecko scramble by. Outside the ballroom. She bumps into another nurse on her staff, Dorothy. Still, Cobb smiles politely. Dorothy's a good nurse, but she and Cobb clash sometimes. Dorothy doesn't love nursing, and she can resent when Cobb pushes her to do her best work. But there's no need to dredge up work drama tonight. Cobb points to Dorothy's outfit. I love your dress and it's good to see you out having fun. Which reminds me, your tour's up in less than a year. If you want to do another stint in Manila, I'll need your paperwork soon. Spots fill up fast. Dorothy scoffs. I have the date my tour is up circled in my diary. January 1, 1942. I'll be heading home on the first ship. Oh, do you not enjoy Manila? No. Not the food, not the heat, not the work. Now excuse me. Cobb finishes up and crosses back to the ballroom. A light sea breeze ruffles her hair, and she inhales the sweet scent of flowers blooming in the trees. Cobb shakes her head. If Dorothy can't appreciate that she's gotten the opportunity to look, live in paradise. That's her loss. Personally, Cobb wouldn't change a thing. Navy nurse Mary Rose Harrington finishes her Old Fashioned and glances around the nightclub from her booth in the back. She frowns at how empty the place is. Did all the waitresses leave town, too? Her boyfriend, Lawrence, looks up from cutting his steak.
- [14:04]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
Probably the orders were clear. All women and children were supposed to leave.
- [14:09]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Harrington sighs. It's October 1941, and over the past few months tensions have ratcheted up between the United States and Japan. The Japanese have been flying planes over American colonies and sending ships into American waters. Politicians on both sides have been rattling their sabers, too. Harrington considers it a bunch of nonsense. Everyone knows that if Japan takes on America, they'll get squashed like a bug. Nevertheless, last month the US Government ordered all American civilians to evacuate the Philippines, including the spouses and children of soldiers and sailors. But military folks, including the Navy nurses, were ordered to stay put. Tonight, Harrington has seen the results. She was so excited last week when Lawrence told her he'd gotten reservations at this popular nightclub, but the place is dead. It's depressing. She slides over in the booth closer to Lawrence. I guess there's one advantage of this place being so empty. She kisses his ear, but Lawrence squirms.
- [15:21]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
Dear, please. I'm trying to finish my fine.
- [15:25]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Be a sour puss. I'm going out for some fresh air. As she exits the booth, Lawrence calls out an apology, but Harrington ignores him and heads for the door. Outside, it's even more depressing. A neighborhood that's usually jumping until 3am is completely quiet. Harrington lights a cigarette and takes a drag. A moment later, Lawrence joins her outside. He places a hand on her shoulder.
- [15:54]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
We have something important to discuss.
- [15:57]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
He takes a step away and reaches into his coat pocket. Harrington's stomach drops. He's about to propose to her, she's sure of it. She's been thinking of this moment for months, yet she's flustered now that it's really here. But when his hand comes out of his pocket, he's holding a handkerchief, not a ring. He dabs his forehead with it. He looks nervous, his eyes dropping to the pavement.
- [16:26]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
I've been thinking a lot, and given the danger here, it's time for me to return home to he trails off.
- [16:34]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Harrington's heart sinks. She scrambles to respond. It's okay. We can make it work. We can keep in touch through letters. Will write every day.
- [16:44]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
No, let me finish. It's time for me to return home to my family. I'm married. I God, this was a mistake.
- [16:56]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
He pushes past her and heads back inside. Harrington feels like she's been flipped upside down and left dangling. Her mother abandoned her to an orphanage as a child, and even after being adopted she always felt like an outsider. She wants a family of her own, and she thought Lawrence was the one to start that family with. But he was lying to her this whole time. He never saw her that way. As the cigarette burns down in her fingers, she feels rage building in her heart. A tear runs down her cheek, then another. She tries to stop them, but she can't. Now she's glad. The streets are empty and there's no one to see her like this. Dorothy still groans in the dark as someone pounds on the door of her dorm room. She's a heavy sleeper and her head feels thick. She struggles to rise onto an elbow. Give me a second. Dorothy glances at her watch in the moonlight. It's 1am on Dec. 8, 1941, on the Cavite Naval Base outside Manila. Dorothy worked a double shift at the base hospital today and is exhausted. But the pounding on her door continues, louder and more urgently. She tosses off her covers and gets up. Before she can even reach the door, it flies open to reveal Dorothy's colleague, Mary Rose Harrington. Dorothy, get up. Cobb wants everyone in the hallway now. Something about the panic in Harrington's voice startles Dorothy. What's going on? Dorothy flicks on the light switch to find her robe. Then she cringes as she hears Chief Nurse Laura Cobb yell out, turn off that light. We're in blackout conditions. Dorothy snaps off the light and stands there wide eyed in the dark. Why are they in blackout conditions? She enters the hallway to find Cobb and 10 other nurses lining the wall on either side, their faces barely visible in the weak moonlight. Cobb steps forward to address them. The Japanese just attacked Pearl Harbor. 19American ships have been destroyed and 100 planes plus several thousand sailors are dead or wounded. This was an act of war. There's a worried murmur among the nurses. Dorothy reels. She remembers stopping at Pearl harbor on her way to the Philippines. It was a lovely little island base. It's impossible to think of it flattened and burning, a charred graveyard. Cobb quickly hushes the nurses. Dorothy raises her hand and calls out, is Manila a target now? We have to assume so. Will we get orders to ship elsewhere? Nothing has come through yet, but since we're non combatants, I'm sure we'll be transferred soon. But we have duties in the meantime. We need to prepare for an attack. She finishes up with a sharp order. Everyone needs to report to the hospital immediately. Get your uniforms on and no lights. Dorothy ducks back into her room. She tosses her pajamas on the unmade bed. Then she grabs her uniform from her closet. She buttons up her crisp white shirt and pulls the white tights over her legs. A white skirt and pillbox hat complete the ensemble. At her sink, she splashes water on her face. Newsreel images of the war in Europe flash through her mind. Bombed out churches, soldiers with missing legs on crutches. Could such destruction really be coming to the Philippines? Deep down, she has to admit that she's terrified. It sounds crazy, but even though she joined the Navy, she never imagined she'd see war. Nurse Dorothy still stands next to a doctor in the Cavite Naval Base Hospital outside Manila. They're at the foot of a patient's bed, flipping through his chart on a clipboard. It's early morning on December 8, 1941, and most of the men in the ward are fast asleep, oblivious to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The doctor points to the chart. His kidney infection is clearing up. Give him a shot of sulfa and then we can discharge him. Yes, Doctor. The doctor signs a discharge box on the chart and replaces the clip in a bin on the foot of the bed. Then they move on to the next patient. Dorothy's boss, Laura Cobb, along with several doctors on base, have spent the past several hours calling local civilian hospitals. They're trying to find room to transfer patients here. Meanwhile, the rest of the medical staff has been going down the lines of beds, deciding who can safely be discharged. They want to get as many patients as possible out of the base hospital in case the Japanese bomb the base. There are around one hundred and fifty patients to consider. As Dorothy and the doctor approach the next patient, the hospital's PA system crackles. Attention all personnel. Given the recent bombing of Pearl harbor, the United States is now at war with the Empire of Japan. The announcement wakes up most of the patients and the room buzzes. The men are shocked to hear the United States has been attacked. Several look wild eyed with fear. One calls out behind Dorothy, hey nurse,
- [22:57]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
where am I gonna go if we get bombed?
- [23:00]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Dorothy turns to see a man in traction. Both legs are in casts and are hoisted above his head. She freezes a moment, unable to say the truth that he'd be in dire trouble. Then she regains her composure. We'll get you to the basement. You'll be safe there. The doctor throws a dubious look at Dorothy. She avoids eye contact. She knows there's no way they'll be able to move the patient in his condition, but she had to say something to keep him calm. The doctor nods toward the man in front of them. It's a patient Dorothy personally attended to. He he accidentally inhaled some caustic chemicals last month and just got out of an iron lung a few days ago. The man begs Dorothy and the doctor to be allowed to leave. He says he's recovered. He wants to get back to his crew and fight. His cough, however, tells a different story. But the doctor is barely paying attention. He glances over his chart, then grabs his pen. I'm discharging this one, dorothy protests. Are you sure? What about that cough? Nurse? We are at war here.
- [24:13]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
Would I have discharged this patient yesterday? Probably not.
- [24:17]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
But he has a lot better chance of surviving somewhere else than he will if he's stuck in a hospital that's
- [24:22]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
getting blasted with bombs.
- [24:25]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
He slams the clipboard into the bin and strides off. Dorothy feels more miffed at his scolding. She still doesn't think this war will amount to much, not after Uncle Sam gets through pounding the Japanese. She just hopes the men in the ward here, her patients, don't get hurt. In the meantime, Chief Nurse Laura Cobb walks into the common room of the dormitory where her nurses bunk. She's holding a big pile of dark blue clothing in her arms. Ladies, listen up. I think I have a solution to our little problem. It wasn't easy, but I've managed to secure new uniforms for all of us. No more streaks of dirt. The nurses clap. Cobb smiles, feeling satisfied with herself. It's noon on December 9, roughly 36 hours since news arrived of the Pearl harbor attack. The base has been nothing but chaos. Cobb's crew has been working nonstop, preparing patients for discharge, helping others into trucks for transfer to other clinics, and clearing out the basement to move people. Down there, the work has been all the more stressful because of the air raid warnings. Now that the United States has officially declared war on Japan, the sailors in charge of the air raid sirens have been on a hair trigger. It seems like every time a bird flies overhead, they sound the alarm. Then the nurses have to drop everything and run to their designated shelter. Unfortunately, that shelter is little more than a crawl space beneath Their dorm. It has a dirt floor and given how rainy and humid Manila is, it's often muddy down there. Every time they leave the shelter, their white uniforms get even dirtier. The kind of dirt that no laundry cycle can remove. Cobb spent the last few hours badgering the quartermasters on base for some dark sailor uniforms that won't show stains. Now she drops them on the table in the common room. Have at them, ladies. At first the nurses are enthusiastic. On top are denim work shirts. They hold them over their chests, pretending to model them. If you put them on right there. But their faces fall when they see the pants. Narrow dungarees. Dorothy still holds one pair up, her nose crinkled as if she's in a barnyard. They're cut for 18 year old boys. I haven't had hips this skinny since high school. Several other nurses take up the complaint. Cobb interrupts them. There are some larger sizes. Just try them on. The nurses unbutton their skirts and pull the pants on over their tights, but no one is taking it seriously. Several nurses jump up and down, laughing as they try to squeeze into the snug pants. A few put on the bigger pairs and parade around like clowns. Cobb's blood boils. She's been awake for over 24 hours now, and instead of some badly needed sleep, she spent the morning securing new uniforms. And this is how they repay her, by laughing. She can't believe their ingratitude. Strip those pants off, every one of you. And the shirts. You'll just have to look filthy. The nurses all stop, cowed by this outburst. Cobb's friend Mary Rose Harrington suddenly appears at her side. She steers Cobb into the hallway. Cobb fumes those rude, ungrateful so and so's. They're under a lot of stress. They need to blow off some steam. I'm going to march them right back. It's the last time I try to do something nice for this crew. Please don't. We'll try wearing the larger pants with belts. They'll come around. Her words soothe Cobb, who decides to let her nurses keep the uniforms that they want. She regrets not staying calmer. She should set a better example. But the incident still rankles her. She loves her crew, but they seem spoiled and immature sometimes. If they can't even handle some clothes that don't quite fit, how will they react if things get truly bad? Dorothy still jabs a syringe of morphine into the blood spots smeared leg of the young woman in front of her. She's got a nasty shrapnel wound on her thigh. Then Dorothy changes needles, shifts over a few feet and injects the next patient. An elderly fruit vendor in the neighborhood, a man she buys papayas from. His arms are badly burned and he looks dazed. Dorothy says a few words to comfort him, but she has to move on. There are simply too many other wounded to deal with. It's 2pm on December 10, 1941. Two hours ago, the Cavite Naval Base and surrounding area was bombed. As soon as the bombs stopped, Dorothy and the other nurses sprinted here to the hospital from their crawl space shelter. Within minutes, injured people streamed in. This hospital has beds for 15050 patients, but several hundred victims and family members had piled in through the doors. The patients are a mix of sailors and civilians. Their cries of agony echo off the hospital walls. By this point, the waiting area is so packed with the wounded that there's barely any room to walk. The floor is slick with blood and other bodily fluids, and the stench is nauseating. Dorothy feels overwhelmed every time she looks around, and each minute more injured patients arrive. Some have compound fractures with bones sticking out. Others have bloody gashes exposing their insides. Several have charred, blackened skin. Other Navy nurses are walking among the wounded, triaging them with so many patients that to keep track of, the nurses quickly developed a system. They mark the ones they've already examined with lipstick so they don't waste time evaluating anyone a second time. The ones who are injured but can wait for treatment have a line of lipstick on their foreheads. Those who are doomed have a cross. After injecting a dozen patients, Dorothy's syringe runs out of morphine and she hurries off to get more. On the way, a young sailor flags her down and asks for some water. Dorothy notices the lipstick cross on his forehead, but beyond looking pale, he seems fine. He notices Dorothy eyeing his forehead.
- [31:16]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
I'm going to die soon, one of the doctors said. So.
- [31:20]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
You look okay. Maybe the doctor's wrong.
- [31:23]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
No, look.
- [31:26]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
He points the blanket over his belly. Dorothy peeks underneath and can't help but flinch. The man seems to have been turned inside out. His guts are spilling everywhere. Dorothy collects herself and tries to smile, but her own insides are roiling. She pats his hand. The sailor looks at her pleadingly.
- [31:51]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
Can you sit with me?
- [31:53]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Dorothy wishes she could, but too many other patients need her help. Not right now, but let me get you some water. She hurries off for a glass, but on the way, the hospital door flies open. A local man staggers in carrying his pregnant wife. She's bleeding from a torso wound. She needs surgery immediately. Unfortunately, the operating room is on the third floor, and the bombing raid knocked out power to the elevator, so the woman needs to be carried up two flights of stairs. Dorothy and another nurse grab her legs and help the exhausted husband. By the time Dorothy has gotten the woman stabilized on an operating table and flagged down a surgeon, a half hour has passed. She suddenly remembers the sailor she promised to get water for. She hustles downstairs to a sink, fills a glass and hurries back to his bed. But the man's bed is empty. She grabs an orderly. There was a young man in the bed there. What happened to him? The orderly looks harried.
- [33:00]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
I think he died. Check the morgue.
- [33:02]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Dorothy's throat catches. She's lost patience before, but this one seemed so scared and alone she feels guilty. She couldn't even sit with him in his last moment. But her reverie is quickly broken. Behind her, someone yells, move. She jumps aside, and two orderlies plop another patient onto the bloody sheets where the sailor was. Dorothy stares for a moment, then turns to grab another syringe of morphine. All she can do now is try to save someone else. The war is only a few hours old for her, but she can already see how awful it's going to be. Nurse Dorothy still yawns and checks her watch for the 10th time. It's 7pm on December 13, 1941. She's standing in line to send a message out over one of the few working telegraph lines in Manila. She's been waiting for six hours, and there are still a dozen people ahead of her after the horrific day tending to those injured in the bombing of the Cavite Naval Base, Dorothy and a few other Navy nurses have barely gotten a break. The Japanese bombing destroyed large swaths of Manila, and not just the city. The entire Philippines has been pummeled. It's worrying. Why isn't America punching back? Dorothy finally got a half day off today. She wanted to sleep, but decided she should send a telegram to her mother back in Los Angeles, letting her know she's okay. But this wait, in this line, has been so frustrating. To make matters worse, do, Dorothy is standing in a hotel where she once attended a ball. She thinks back on that night now, recalling the plush carpets, the steak dinner, the lively orchestra. She'd give anything to go back to that time. Now, at last, it's Dorothy's turn to send a message. She's been wanting to unburden herself to her mother and admit how scared and tired she is. But when the Clerk asks for her message. She decides not to frighten her mom. Instead, she dictates something cheery. Have it say Merry Christmas. Don't worry about me. Everything under control. She figures it's a harmless lie. The Navy will be evacuating her and the other nurses soon. Chief Nurse Laura Cobb said so. And Dorothy heard the army has begun to evacuate their medical corps, so she's confident she won't be in danger much longer. Then on January 1st, Dorothy's tour will be up and she can go home. In just over two weeks, this will all be behind her. After paying for her message, Dorothy walks outside. It's almost pitch black. It's now 8pm and the citywide blackout is in effect. She doesn't want to risk walking home in the dark, but the line for taxis is is nearly as long as the telegraph line was. She spots a US army sedan and walks over. She catches the eye of the driver, who rolls down his window. Any room in there for a nurse to get a ride home? I'm stranded, ma'.
- [36:34]
Advertisement Voice / Adobe Acrobat Announcer
Am.
- [36:34]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
I've got strict orders, and they don't include acting as a cab for hire.
- [36:39]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Dorothy sighs and walks away, wondering what to do. Then she hears a car door open behind her. A tall, stern looking man in a khaki uniform emerges from the sedan's backseat. Are you army, Miss? No, sir. Navy. I'm a nurse. You're the backbone of the medical corps.
- [36:59]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
My driver will take you wherever you need. Thank you for your service.
- [37:03]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
The officer leans down, mutters something to his driver, then closes the door and walks off toward the hotel. Dorothy hurries over, hardly believing her luck. When she gets in, the driver turns around, staring at her.
- [37:18]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
You must be pretty important. I've never seen him act that way.
- [37:22]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Who is he?
- [37:23]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
Who is he?
- [37:25]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
That's General Douglas MacArthur. He's going to save the Philippines. Dorothy slumps back in her seat as the car pulls out. She's never heard of Douglas MacArthur, but she hopes the driver is right because the Philippines sure needs saving and fast. Nurse Basilia Torres, steward, holds a glass of water up to the lips of her husband, Jerry. She gently tips it to let him drink, but he's weak and the liquid dribbles down his chin. She dabs it up with a washcloth and replaces the glass on the nightstand. Basilia holds Jerry's hand as he drifts off to sleep. He's been fading in and out ever since he was injured in last week's bombing raid on Manila. When he's fully under, she shifts the blanket and peels back his bandages. Her nurse's eye examines the wounds on his chest and leg. They don't look good. Especially. Especially that leg gash. She winces just seeing them. It's 1pm on Dec. 19. Basilia, who's Filipina, and Jerry, an American naval lieutenant, are in a room at Santa Scholastica, a women's college in Manila that's been converted into a military hospital. Jerry was stationed at a local power plant which was targeted by Japanese bombers. He was wounded when a bomb hit a massive piece of equipment and turned it into shrapnel. While he sleeps, Basilia murmurs a prayer. She's an accomplished nurse, head of her unit at a local hospital, but she needs every bit of extra help she can summon to save Jerry. After a half hour, Jerry stirs. Basilia gives him another sip of water and brushes the black hair from his forehead. When he tries to spare speak, she shushes him, telling him to save his strength. But he insists.
- [39:27]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
We need to talk. Japan is going to invade soon. I'm sure of it. And given the state I'm in, I can't be evacuated. They'll take me as a prisoner of war.
- [39:39]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
I won't let that happen.
- [39:41]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
It won't be up to you. But forget about me. You're the one in real danger.
- [39:48]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
He tells her that he's been reading about the Japanese invasion of China in 1937. The soldiers there were ruthless and committed atrocities everywhere, especially against women. He fears they'll do the same in Manila. But Jerry has a plan. He's seen plenty of military nurses around Santa Scholastica. He wants Basilia to attach herself to a unit of them.
- [40:13]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
With them, you're more likely to get evacuated out of the Philippines. And even if you do get captured, military nurses have more rights under international law. They'll probably get returned to America. And as a wife of an American citizen, you'll get the same treatment that
- [40:30]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
will ensure your safety. I've never even been to America.
- [40:34]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
My family in Texas will take you in, I promise.
- [40:38]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
But what about you? Jerry says not to worry about him. He'll be fine. He'll see her when the war is over. Basilia hates the idea. She doesn't want to leave Jerry, especially in this state. But he makes her promise that if Japan invades, she'll do everything she can to join an American unit. But as she sits there watching him drift off again, she wishes she'd never made that promise. She has a terrible feeling that she's going to regret leaving him. Nurse Dorothy still rolls down the window of the car. She sticks her face out and inhales deeply, thankful to get some fresh air in her lungs. There's a US Navy driver behind the wheel. The the nurse's transfer orders finally came through, and they're headed out of Manila. Dorothy is thrilled to be leaving, except for the fact that she got assigned to a car with fellow nurse Susie Pitcher. Dorothy gets along well with Pitcher, but the woman smokes like a chimney. Four packs a day in normal times, and probably more like 6 since Pearl Harbor. It's 1pm on December 20th, 26th, and traffic at Manila is gridlocked. With her head out the window, Dorothy cranes her neck. There's a line of cars stretching ahead as far as she can see. They're all heading toward the highway north, the quickest way out of town. Dorothy hasn't heard exactly where they're going, and she doesn't care much. Anywhere will be better than Manila. As they inch along, listening to the radio, Dorothy shakes her head ruefully. Two weeks ago, she'd never heard of General Douglas MacArthur, but lately every radio station in Manila has been talking about him. MacArthur leads the American military in the Philippines, and he recently declared Manila to be an open city under international law. That means that any foreign power like Japan will meet no military resistance if it invades. News commentators are divided on whether this declaration was wise. MacArthur says he simply doesn't have the manpower to defend the city, and in declaring it open, he can spare the local population the death and destruction that would result if Japan encounters resistance. But many military folks hate the decision. They want to fight Japan, both in revenge for Pearl harbor and to defend American interests in the Philippines. Dorothy doesn't know what to think. She's been too tired and too busy wondering where she's been evacuated to. She heard that one nurse in their unit, Ann, has already been shipped off to Australia. That would be nice. But wherever they go, Dorothy takes comfort that she won't be there long. She has just five days left on her tour. She's seen enough blood and mangled bodies over the past three weeks to last a lifetime. They spend the next hour inching along. Pitcher smokes one cigarette after another, and Dorothy chokes on the smoke and exhaust fumes. Finally, they reach the highway on ramp. Thank God. But the driver surprises surprises Dorothy. Instead of turning right north, he turns left. Dorothy and Pitcher exchange glances. Dorothy wonders whether the driver got confused, but he passes several exits and shows no sign of turning around. Dorothy finally leans forward. Where are you going? We need to go north to leave Manila. The other way.
- [44:29]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
We're not leaving Manila.
- [44:31]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
What do you mean? Where are we going? The driver says he's taken them to Santa Scholastica, a women's college in southern Manila that's been converted into a hospital. Dorothy asks what their orders are beyond that, but he shrugs.
- [44:46]
Character Voices (e.g., Dorothy, Laura Cobb, Mary Rose Harrington, Lawrence, Jerry, Basilia Torres)
No idea, ma'.
- [44:47]
Advertisement Voice / Adobe Acrobat Announcer
Am.
- [44:48]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
Dorothy is stunned. She realizes the Navy nurses have not actually received orders to evacuate. There's no other way to put it. The Navy is abandoning the nurses here. She looks over at the lanes of traffic heading north. There are thousands upon thousands of people streaming in that direction, and theirs is the only car traveling south. She sits back, a pit of despair in her stomach. They've all heard stories about what the Japanese army did does when invading places, especially to women. Equally bad, Japan has never signed the Geneva Conventions, so they have no obligation to respect medical personnel or treat them differently than enemy combatants. In other words, being a nurse won't protect Dorothy. And with Manila now an open city, she realizes that it's only a matter of time, perhaps days, before the Japanese overrun the city. And then who knows what will happen to her and her fellow nurses.
- [46:02]
Audible Announcer
Follow against the Odds on the Audible app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes of against the Odds ad free by joining Audible
- [46:14]
Narrator / Cassie Depechel
from Audible Originals. This is episode one of our five part series, World War II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War. A quick note about our scenes. In most cases we can't know exactly what was said, but everything is based on historical research. If you'd like to learn more about this event, we recommend the books this Is really war by Emily LeBeau Lucchese Rescue at Los Banos by Bruce Henderson and we Band of Angels by Elizabeth M. Norman Produced by Audible I'm your host, Cassie depechel. Sam Keane wrote this episode. Our editor is Steve Fenasey. Sound design by Rob Shiliga engineered by Sergio Enriquez Original theme music Scott Velasquez and 2K for freeze on sync Fact Checking by Alyssa Jung Perry Produced by Emily Frost Managing Producer Desi Blaylock Senior Producers Andy Herman and Austin Rachlis Executive Producer for Audible Jenny Lauer Beckman, Head of Creative Development at Audible Kate Navin, Head of Audible Originals North America Marshall Louie Chief Content Officer Rachel Giazza Copyright 2026 by Audible Originals, LLC Sound Recording Copyright 2026by Audible Originals LLC.