The Underground Camera

The Last Year of the War. Amsterdam 1944 - 1945

The photographs by professional photographers working illegally during the Second World War, known as ‘The Underground Camera’, contributed significantly to the image of the German occupation after the war. However, little was known about the nature and scope of these photographers' work; what subjects were captured, how was the group organised, and how did the group's leadership operate from its hiding place in Amsterdam.

Now the book The Hidden Camera. The last year of the war. Amsterdam 1944-1945 published by NIOD researchers Erik Somers and René Kok. About how resistance fighter Tony van Renterghem and filmmaker Fritz Kahlenberg led the collective and their photographs of the dire conditions managed to convince the Dutch government in exile of the need for Allied food drops.  

After the war, the photographers of The Underground Camera, including big names such as Cas Oorthuys, Charles Breijer, Marius Meijboom and Emmy Andriesse, became famous for their images that made a lasting contribution to the perception of the occupation. This book based on new archive research offers a unique insight into the daring missions of these photographers and their contribution to (photographic) history.

You can find more information about the book though: