Untethered

The untethered stories about Hugo Wilmar. About cameras, eyewitness lowering and the Tintin-esque stories of the Engelandvaarder, War photographer, Wildlife Biologist en Disney filmmaker.

Discover the untethered stories:

Three storylines

1. The Outlines of World History

The main lines of the history of the second world war and the 50s will be a piece of cake for many. Most people will have remembered the main points of the history lessons in high school. These outlines consist of the chronological sequence of feats of arms. This part of world history has been extensively researched. A more detailed timeline emerges with further study: reading history books, watching documentaries or the polygon newsreels from that time.

2. Wilmar's Role in Historiography

Hugo Wilmar moved through the world from 1940 until his death in 1957. He experienced this world history up close from different places. In his role as photographer and filmmaker, he actively added a (small) part to the reporting and the historiography. This reporting in turn forms a small – and often one-sided – part of the detailed history. This part is also subject to interpretation and manipulation. This influence can be both desirable and undesirable. Even the intention with which the messages were influenced can differ from conscious to unconscious. Finally, in the past 70 years, insights have changed considerably. This makes it difficult to determine with certainty the context in which the images were made.

3. The Untestable History

From the front line from which Wilmar reported on his part of world history, he also wrote the letters. He provided the background stories behind the news. These stories are laced with his own vision and opinions. The adventures are sometimes told point by point, at other times in a romantic way. It is precisely these experiences that make the heart of the unbound stories forms. They are untestable, rough, and spectacular. These stories are at the origin of the deeds. These are the gems that tell the Tintin-like story of Hugo Wilmar.

Note in advance

When reading this website and looking at these photos, it is good to remember that the views of the 50s are different from what we are used to today.

The use of words in the letters and documents from that time has since become obsolete. The philosophy has also changed in the 70 years. Things, which were considered quite normal in the 50s, would in some cases be less accepted now.

We ask you to read and view the unbound stories with an open mind. These stories contain a reflection of the past. They do not relate to the present time. Nor do they contain any opinions and no message pertaining to the present.

puzzle pieces

Untethered are based on the personal experiences and situation, which Hugo Wilmar describes in his letters. They are laced with unknown factors and untraceable details. The correctness of this can no longer be ascertained. Retrospective interpretation and dead reckoning take the place, filling the gaps in the story.

Where possible, we have researched parts of these unbound stories and compared them to external sources. The significance of these stories on world history is minimal. Its value is precisely that it brings the person Hugo Wilmar to life. These stories give a glimpse into the psyche and personality of the top photographer.

What is special about the stories is that the coherence gradually develops. Each story is another piece of the puzzle. They are traces that open doors to other stories. The clues, which in turn can be connected to other stories, and thus unravel a complete overview.