The book is written by Dutchman Har Gootzen and Scotsman Kevin Connor, two amateur historians. Har started a personal study on the role of the 7th Armoured Division with regard to the liberation of his home town Sint Joost. The small village is situated in the area which is referred to as the Roer Triangle and was the sight of a bitter fight between the Desert Rats and a German paratroop regiment.

In 2004 Har met Kevin Connor during one of Kevin's battle tours following the trail of the 52nd Lowland Division during WWII. Colonel Kevin Connor is commandant of the West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force, which explains his interest in the battle for the Roer Triangle. The idea to put both their knowledge on the battle in a book was formed almost immediately, and the result of the joint effort was finally printed in December 2006.

Kevin Connor, speeching during the unveiling of a plaque to commemmorate liberation of Koningsbosch by the 52nd Division on 19 January 1945 (January 2009)

Har Gootzen holding a speech at the opening of an exposition on the German occupation at the local museum in Echt (January 2010).

Kevin (middle) and Har (right) during their first meet in Koningsbosch (January 2004).

Har G.P. Gootzen, 2011©