Purple Heart Warriors: 2. ‘Buddhaheads’

Ken goes to a Japanese American internment camp and is shocked at what he sees. Tensions between recruits from Hawaii and the mainlanders, so-called “Buddhaheads” and “Kotonks”, are running high. Then some news – the soldiers are sent to fight in Europe.This series is inspired by real events and contains dramatised battle scenes and out-dated racial language.Cast:Narrator: Will Sharpe Ken: Akie Kotabe Lieutenant/Bus guard/Texan soldier/Reporter: Freddy Elletson Grandpa Allan/ Mr Yamada: Clyde Kusatsu Emily: Samantha Dakin Little Ken: Hudson Roberts. Mrs Tanaka/Baachan/Shirley/Li: Tamlyn Tomita Nui Louie/Mr Okimura: Aaron Ikeda Barry/Captain Kim/Private Sasaki/Radio man: Derek Mio Shorty: Raiko Gohara Ohta/Captain Minori: Matt McCooey Drill Sergeant/General Dahlquist: Martin McDougal Colonel Pence/Earl Finch/Col Miller: Colin Stinton Sonny: Kurt Kanazawa Boxer/Crooner/Pokey: Conrad LihilihiWritten by Iris Yamashita Sound design: Richard Gould at Skywalker Sound Recording and mixing: Leon Chambers Original music: Josh Sneesby Consultant: L Stuart Hirai Dramaturg: James Yeatman Broadcast assistant: Teresa Milewski Production co-ordinator: Kate Brook Associate producers: Tim Bell & Rosa Crompton Director: Jessica Dromgoole Producer: Catherine Bailey. Based on an idea by Simon PittsA Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service

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Immersive storytelling from the BBC World Service. The home of original drama.The latest season is Purple Heart Warriors, a time-travelling drama about the Japanese American soldiers who became legends of US military history. Inspired by real events, it’s the little-known story of the 442nd Regiment, decorated for their bravery fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two. Narrated by Will Sharpe and written by Oscar nominee Iris Yamashita, it is told in six-parts.Also listen to our previous season: Fukushima. This seven-part nuclear drama tells the story of the tsunami which hit in 2011. It follows the heroes who fight to contain the disaster and those whose mistakes led Japan to catastrophe.