What happens
The Pacific Story presents a survey of Sumatra during the Second World War. Bombs are falling across the island, and the narrator explains why its cities, rivers and mountains matter to the campaign against Singapore. Sumatra is described as a large, jungle-covered island with a mountain range on its western side and muddy flats to the east, and its main cities and railroads are outlined. Local peoples are introduced in their own words, including the Minangkabau, Batak, Palembang and Acehnese. The account then turns to the Dutch and Japanese invasions, the defense of Palembang and its oil fields, and the air battles over the island. The story is narrated by Gayne Whitman and was presented by the National Broadcasting Company.
Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, during the Second World War
Characters: Gayne Whitman
Listen for: The narrator's list of Sumatra's key cities and railroads, and the air battle over Palembang
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.