Golden Memories of Radio (09 of 10)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Golden Memories of Radio (09 of 10)
Date: May 11, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the pivotal role radio played during some of the most significant events of the early 1940s, particularly the attack on Pearl Harbor and the fall of Corregidor during World War II. Through original broadcasts, personal testimonies, and reflective interviews, the episode captures the immediacy of wartime radio—how it brought history into American living rooms, united families, and relayed the raw realities faced by those on the frontlines.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Radio’s Role at the Start of WWII

• The episode opens with archival radio reports covering the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, conveying the chaos and shock that swept the nation.
  • News Anchor (00:32): Announces the White House statement about the attack on Pearl Harbor, highlighting the global scale and gravity of the event.
• Eyewitness account from Bert Silence, reporting live from Manila, paints a vivid picture of the sudden bombings and the challenges faced during a full moon and blackout conditions.
  • Bert Silence (00:38): Describes the bombings and how the conditions made them vulnerable:

    "The moon is shining absolutely full... There's no wonder that an enemy bomber could take out any spot... It isn't the fault of the blackout. There isn't a light shining any place. But Old Man Moon just wouldn't stay blacked out."

Presidential Address to Congress

• The historical moment when President Roosevelt addresses the nation asking for a declaration of war after Pearl Harbor is replayed in its original form.
  • News Anchor (01:46): Recites Roosevelt’s iconic words:

    "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan..."

  • [Segment Duration: 01:46 – 04:40]

Fall of the Philippines and Corregidor

• Narrator summarizes the strategic situation: MacArthur evacuated, Wainwright left to delay defeat, and the eventual fall of Bataan and the fortress island of Corregidor.
  • [05:17]: Background on the siege and defeat.
• Gripping radio code broadcasts from besieged soldiers provide an unfiltered, emotional account of the final hours on Corregidor.
  • Irving Strobing (as broadcast, 06:05):

    "They are throwing men and shells at us and we may not be able to stand it. They have been shelling us faster than you can count...
    Damage terrific. Too much for guys to take. Enemy heavy cross shelling and bombing."

  • Corregidor Soldier Companion (08:29):

    "The white flag is up."

  • Irving Strobing (09:36): Asks that his final message reach his mother:

    "My name Irving Strobing. Get this to my mother, Mrs. Minnie Strobing, 605 Barbie Street, Brooklyn, New York... My love you all. God bless you and keep you love. Sign my name and tell my mother how you heard from me. Stand by."

Exclusive Interview with Survivor Irving Strobing

• Miraculously surviving years as a Japanese POW, Strobing is interviewed about his experience immediately after Corregidor's surrender.
  • Irving Strobing (11:39):

    "The transmission was terminated when I was told that a Japanese tank was approaching the mouth of the tunnel... We were then lined up in Malinta Tunnel itself. And in a kneeling position were tapped on the shoulder by a Japanese officer using a saber. And thus formally became prisoners of the Emperor."

  • Narrator/Interviewer (12:11): Surprised by Japanese formality even in surrender.
  • Strobing (12:44): Details his harrowing 1216 days of imprisonment, forced labor in Japan, and eventual liberation.
  • Interviewer (13:50): Asks about his effort to get his farewell message to his mother.
  • Strobing (13:59):

    "The final transmission from Corregidor was a message to my mother and the other members of my family. It was received in Honolulu and relayed to Washington. And the army was good enough to have a colonel deliver it at home."

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt (01:46):

  "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory."

• Irving Strobing (09:36):

  "My name Irving Strobing. Get this to my mother... God bless them all. Hope they be there when I come home."

• Irving Strobing (12:44):

  "A 27 day voyage in the bottom hold of a Japanese freighter... After about a year and a half, I was transferred to another camp where we made little rocks out of big ones and also stoked the furnaces in a Japanese steel mill."

• Narrator/Interviewer (14:17):

  "Mr. Strobing, you're a very lucky man. And we're ever so grateful to you for being with us today."

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Noteworthy Segments and Timestamps

• 00:32–01:36: Breaking news: Pearl Harbor attack and immediate radio eyewitness reporting from Manila.
• 01:46–04:40: Broadcast of President Roosevelt’s war declaration speech.
• 05:17–11:10: Fall of Corregidor, including raw and emotional soldier radio exchanges.
• 11:10–14:33: Exclusive interview with Irving Strobing, survivor and radio operator.
• 14:33–16:47: Emotional choral rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Sam, blending solemnity and hope.

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Tone and Listening Experience

The tone is reverent, historical, and personal—moving seamlessly from tense battlefield reports to reflective, grateful interviews. The episode’s use of original broadcasts and survivor testimony delivers a visceral, immersive experience, helping listeners not only learn but feel how radio served as both information lifeline and emotional anchor during crisis.

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For those interested in the enduring power of radio in wartime, or the voices of ordinary people facing extraordinary events, this episode stands as both a historical record and a testament to human resilience.

Transcript

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[News Anchor]

Flash Washington.

[Bert Silence]

The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Radio reported the eyewitness accounts.

[Bert Silence]

Hello, NBC, this is Bert Silence speaking from Manila, and this time I've got a real scoop for you. Manila has just been found. In fact, right now it is being found. And without warning, Japanese bombers started bombing Fort William McKinley, Nichols Airfield and the RCA Transmitting Station at 9 minutes past 3 o' clock without warning. Right now the moon is shining absolutely full. It's it's two pain stand out like mirrors. And there's no wonder that an enemy bomber could take out any spot around this part of Manila tonight. It isn't the fall of the blackout. There isn't a light shining any place. But Old Man Moon just wouldn't stay blacked out.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

For the first time in history, the entire nation would listen to a United States President asking Congress for a declaration of war.

[News Anchor]

Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan ON Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

[Sam]

Sam.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

The Philippines were doomed. General Douglas MacArthur was ordered to Australia, while Major General Jonathan Wainwright was given the task of delaying defeat for as long as possible. General Wainwright held Bataan until April 8, 1940, when he surrendered to an overwhelming force of 200,000 Japanese troops. But the island fortress of Corregidor held out until May 6th. Then army listening posts in Hawaii heard these last. Drama packed radio code broadcasts.

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

They are not near yet. We are waiting for God only knows what.

[Corregidor Soldier Companion]

How about a chocolate soda?

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

Not many, not near yet. Lots of heavy fighting going on. We've only got about 1 hour 20 minutes before. We may have to give up by noon. We don't know yet. They are throwing men and shells at us and we may not be able to stand it. They have been shelling us faster than you can count. We've got about 55 minutes and I feel sick at my stomach. I am really low down. They are around now smashing rifles. They bring in the wounded every minute. It is a horrible sight. We will be waiting for you guys to help. This is the only thing I guess that can be done. General Wainwright is a right guy and we are willing to go on for him. But shells were dropping all night faster than hell. Damage terrific. Too much for guys to take. Enemy heavy cross shelling and bombing.

[Corregidor Soldier Companion]

They have got us all around.

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

And from skies. From here it looks light skinned. Firing ceased on both sides. Men here all feeling bad because of terrific nervous strain of the siege. Corregidor used to be a nice place. It haunted now withstood a terrific pounding. Just made broadcast to Manila to arrange meetings for surrender. Talk made by General Beebe.

[Corregidor Soldier Companion]

I can't say much. Can't think at all. I can hardly think. Say, I have 60 pesos you can have for this weekend. The white flag is up.

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

Everyone is bawling like a baby.

[Corregidor Soldier Companion]

They're piling dead wounded soldiers in our tunnels. I'm vomiting, arms weak from pounding tea. Long hours, no rest, short rations, tired. I know now how a mouse feels. Caught in a trap. Waiting for guys to come along. Finish it up.

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

Got a treat.

[Corregidor Soldier Companion]

Canned pineapple. Opening it with signal core knife. My name Irving Strobing. Get this to my mother, Mrs. Minnie Strobing. 605 Barbie Street, Brooklyn, New York. They are to get along okay. Get in touch with them soon as possible. Message my love to Pa, Joe, Sue, Max, Carrie, Joy and Paul. Also to all family and friends. God bless them all. Hope they be there when I come home. Tell Joe, wherever he is, give him hell for us. My love you all. God bless you and keep you love. Sign my name and tell my mother how you heard from me. Stand by.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

The radio operator who sent those dots and those dashes and that fateful message was Corporal Irving Strobing. Now miraculously he survived the battle and many years as A Japanese prisoner of war. Very fortunately, he's with us now. And he is to tell us exclusively what happened after that last dot and that last dash were transmitted from Corregidor. Mr. Strobing, tell us exactly what did happen.

[Irving Strobing]

Well, Mr. Knight, the transmission was terminated when I was told that a Japanese tank was approaching the mouth of the tunnel. I thought it would be better for me to get further back in. We remained in the tunnel until the Japanese entered and took charge. We were then lined up in Malinta Tunnel itself. And in a kneeling position were tapped on the shoulder by a Japanese officer using a saber. And thus formally became prisoners of the Emperor.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

You mean even under such circumstances they went to that degree of protocol?

[Irving Strobing]

It was unexpected, but it did happen.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Now, did you ever realize, Mr. Strobing, that your radio message from Corregidor was broadcast all across the country?

[Irving Strobing]

No, Mr. Knight, I really didn't. I knew that certain portions of it had definitely been received, but had no idea of just what dissemination was being made.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

What were the conditions and how did you manage to survive such an ordeal?

[Irving Strobing]

Well, Mr. Knight, the term of imprisonment lasted 1,216 days. The first portion being spent in the Philippines in a camp at Cabanatowan until November of 1942, when I was removed to Japan itself. A 27 day voyage in the bottom hold of a Japanese freighter. Upon our arrival in Japan on 27 November in 42, I was put to work on a construction project, excavating by hand what was to be a dry dock and later pouring the concrete. After about a year and a half, I was transferred to another camp where we made little rocks out of big ones and also stoked the furnaces and a Japanese steel mill. And that lasted until September 5, 1945, when we were liberated and returned to the United States.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Mr. Strobing, if I remember correctly, while you were still on Corregidor, you tried very hard to get a message through to your mother. Tell us about that, will you?

[Irving Strobing]

Well, the final transmission from Corregidor was a message to my mother and the other members of my family. It was received in Honolulu and relayed to Washington. And the army was good enough to have a colonel deliver it at home.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Mr. Strobing, you're a very lucky man. And we're ever so grateful to you for being with us today.

[Sam]

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vantage where the graves of wrath restored. He has loosed the faithful light Begone his terrible swift sword his truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah Glory, glory, hallelujah Glory, glory, hallelujah. His truth is much in love. I have seen him in the wood spies of a hundred searching tents. They have builded him an altar in the evening pews and nets. I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and glaring Lance. This day is. Wonderful, Sam.

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[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

Liberty.

[Sam]

Liberty.

[Corregidor Soldier (Irving Strobing)]

Liberty. Liberty.

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