Jack Didden

Quest for freedom
18 October 2025, the book 'Quest for Freedom' was published. This richly illustrated volume, with hundreds of photos and more than a hundred maps, spans 416 pages. It tells the story of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, from its early formations in 1939 and 1940, through the fighting in Normandy, the liberation of parts of northern France, Belgium, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, North Brabant, eastern and northern Netherlands, to the final days in Germany in May 1945. This book is the result of thorough research and is based entirely on original source material. It is a publication of the Maczek Memorial Breda. For sale at the Maczek Memorial Breda, Oorlogsmuseum Overloon and at bol.com.

Wandelgids
This walking guide, once again made in collaboration with Maarten Swarts, leads the reader in the footsteps of Breda’s liberators. Commissioned by the Maczek Memorial Breda, the guide is spiral-bound for easy use, like a city guide. It includes an introduction on the events of 29 October 1944 and a street map of modern-day Breda. Coloured arrows indicate which unit liberated which part of the city, allowing users to follow individual or multiple units on their advance through Breda. Available at quality bookshops in Breda and at the Memorial.

The Army That Got Away
This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the epic struggle against Germany in the West during the summer of 1944. It tells the story of the German 15. Armee under General Von Zangen which found itself trapped against the Channel coast. It is the story of how the army managed to escape against a highly mobile opponent. This book tells the day-to-day story of an army whose survival was to have a huge impact on subsequent operations especially, including Market Garden. The story is now told in full for the very first time and a major gap in the story of World War Two is finally addressed. Over 900 pictures, most of them never published before, and over 100 full-colour maps illustrate the text.

Zoveel verhalen
This book tells the stories of nearly 150 war victims from Sprang-Capelle, Waalwijk, and Waspik. It is the result of years of research by three local historical societies. Members carried out the research, collected photographs, and wrote the stories. Most victims were ordinary civilians, not soldiers or persecuted Jews. They were of all ages and both sexes—the youngest just seven weeks old, the oldest 84. Every story is heartbreaking and makes painfully clear how civilians suffer most in wartime. This book is meant as a monument and a promise that their stories will not be forgotten.

Kampfgruppe Walther and Panzerbridgade 107
This book tells the story of Kampfgruppe Walther and Panzerbrigade 107. The battle group first saw action on 11 September 1944 after the British Guards Division captured the bridge at Lommel/Neerpelt, nicknamed Joe’s Bridge. An improvised battle group was formed under Fallschirmjäger colonel Erich Walther. Subsequently it fought against the Americans and British during Operation Market Garden. From early October it was engaged in a series of bloody battles in the Peel. During its brief period of existence it fought the US 101st Airborne Division, the US 7th Armored Division, the British 3rd Division and the Guards and 11th Armoured Divisions. All of the engagements are dealt with from both sides and in minute detail. Some of the key questions that are answered are: where was the first tank engagement in the Netherlands in 1944? Why did Panzerbrigade 107 fail to take Son and Veghel? What was the impact on Market Garden? Why did the Americans fail to take Overloon? Over 450 pictures, most of them never published before, documents and full-colour maps illustrate the text.

Autumn Gale
This gripping book, with over 600 photographs and maps—most previously unpublished—examines how a relatively small battle group, Kampfgruppe Chill, managed to slow the Allied advance after the collapse of the German army in France. The story begins with the capture of Antwerp on 4 September 1944 and details the fighting in northern Belgium, the struggle for Joe’s Bridge, Operation Market Garden, the tank battle at Wuustwezel, and several other clashes in the southern Netherlands until the German 15th Army retreated north of the rivers in early November. The focus is on Kampfgruppe Chill and schwere Heeres Panzerjäger-Abteilung 559, but the book also offers new insights into various Sturmgeschütz and Fallschirmjäger units, and the role of the German Kriegsmarine.

Waalwijk en de Wereldoorlog
Six stories from the years 1939–1945. Written for secondary schools in Waalwijk, in collaboration with Maarten Swarts (design) and Jan van Oudheusden. I contributed the stories of the mayor (Moonen, executed by the SS), the liberator (Nairne), and the resistance fighter (Wachtels van den Berg). Jan wrote about the conscripted soldier (Wagemakers), the student (Verwiel), and the Jewish resident (Van Adelberg). Also published by De Zwaardvisch: A4 format, 56 pages, around 50 photos, a list of war victims, and a chronological WWII overview.

Colin, the 51st Highland Division in Brabant 1944
With Maarten Swarts (layout and maps). An English-language edition on the role of the Scottish 51st Division during liberation operations from 23 October to 7 November 1944, with a foreword by General Derek Lang. A4 format, 56 pages, the last 15 of which focus on the municipalities liberated by the Scots. Originally intended as a gift for veterans, but a few extra copies were printed for individual sale.

Provinciestad in Oorlogstijd
Waalwijk and surroundings, 1939–1945. The second book Maarten and I produced together. As always, I wrote the text, and he handled the layout, maps, and cover design. A4 format, 272 pages, hundreds of photos. One I am especially proud of—not just packed with facts, but also very readable, despite the vast range of topics: rationing, mobilization, civilian casualties, liberation, persecution of Jews, resistance, NSB members, the Landwacht, and so on. Based on primary sources and interviews. In 1994, the Volkskrant praised it as a model for a ‘typical’ war history.

Brabant Bevrijd
This book is an edited version of Einddoel Maas. The parts on Zeeland and Limburg were removed, making the story more compact and easier to follow. The number of photos was expanded, with over 300 new images included. Tall A4 format, 283 pages, published in two editions (hardcover and softcover). Highly praised by the Dutch Military History Section in ‘The Liberation of the Netherlands.’ Widely distributed and well received.

Waalwijk tussen Oorlog en Welvaart
The years 1946–1964 in pictures. (Drunen 1989) My first book with Maarten. For this, we founded the small press De Zwaardvisch in 1989 (named after our favorite comic *The Secret of the Swordfish* by E.P. Jacobs). A4 format, 120 pages, hundreds of photos. A ‘sentimental journey’ through the 1950s in Waalwijk and in our own lives. A pleasure to make, a pleasure to read—even for those who didn’t live through that time.

Einddoel Maas
The battle for southern Netherlands between September and December 1944. (Weesp 1984) Co-created with Maarten Swarts (layout and maps). A4 format, 224 pages, 300 photos. Released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the liberation of southern Netherlands. Based on extensive research in primary sources, including war diaries from both sides, and filled with many never-before-published photos. The book still holds up today, largely thanks to Maarten’s excellent maps. We also had help from A. Korthals-Altes (author of *Battle in the Shadows*) and Karel Margry (now editor of *After the Battle*). As always, the evocative cover art is by Maarten. A pity the publisher cut corners on the binding.

Strijd Tussen Maas en Duinen
A photo report of events in the Langstraat from September 1944 to May 1945. (Waalwijk 1979) With Maarten Swarts (maps and layout). This small-format book (22 x 15 cm) contains just 128 pages. A brief account of the liberation of the Langstraat and its aftermath. Based on newspaper clippings and diaries, not primary archival sources. It includes around 100 photos, some of which Maarten and I found at the Imperial War Museum in London. Some captions turned out to be inaccurate; we corrected these in later works. The cover illustration is by Maarten. Those familiar with the Polish 1st Armoured Division will recognize the left half of the image.

Vriend vermist
This is the cover of Jack Didden’s newly released fourth thriller. The title: Missing Friend. Curious? Here's a glimpse behind the curtain...

David wakes from a nightmare. His best friend Hasan has been kidnapped. Nonsense, of course. But when David arrives at school the next morning, Hasan has vanished without a trace. Could the dream have been more than just that? Together with Inge, David begins to investigate. The first thing they find is a SIM card. But whose is it? What’s the code? And why are they being followed by a mysterious car?

Geheime Operatie
The publisher asked me to write a thriller for children aged 11-15. This is the result titled Secret Operation. One day Paul is startled to find there are burglars inside the house. Before he fully realizes what has happened his mother is shot dead. Why and by whom? He ends up with foster-parents but the mystery gets bigger all the time: who is his real father, why does he keep dreaming of a boy who is mortally ill and do his relatives really live in the USA? Size: 13 x 20 cms, 140 pages.

Vampierhandboek
Written together with Paul van Loon. After Paul asked me to contribute a chapter to his famous Gruesome Handbook, I was hooked. I was honored when he proposed we write a book solely about vampires. A very enjoyable and informative read. Everything about vampires: how to recognize them, how to defeat them, how to become one, vampires in books, in films, and much more. Also translated into several languages, including German.
Format: 14 x 21.5 cm, 194 pages, illustrated by Camilla Fialkowski.

Bommelboeken
Marten Toonder wrote no fewer than 177 stories about Heer Bommel and Tom Poes. Originally published as newspaper comics, the stories were later collected in book form. The Panda series was the last to have Toonder’s own involvement. How this transition unfolded is revealed in three hefty volumes. For seven years, the authors compared both versions and analyzed the narratives. This meticulous work led to new insights and surprising discoveries. The books also contain in-depth discussions of the main characters and several essays, such as 'Toonder and Jung' and 'Toonder as Satirist.' Naturally, the books are richly illustrated, thanks to the cooperation of the Toonder Foundation. Volumes 1 and 2 appeared in 2020; Volume 3 followed in 2021. Volume 1 covers the 'Bussum period' (1941–1954), Volume 2 the 'Blaricum period' (1954–1965), and the final volume focuses on the 'Irish period' (1965–1986). A must-have for any true Toonder enthusiast.

De Mooiste Tijd van Je Leven’
To mark the centenary of Dr. Mollercollege, it was decided to publish a book about its former pupils. The result is a collaboration with alumna Romy Dingemans. Through twenty-five interviews, the authors sketch a portrait of where these alumni have ended up. Among them are well-known names like Nobel Prize winner Martinus Veltman, children’s author Paul van Loon, cartoonist Aimée de Jongh, and television personality Olcay Gülsen—but also many less famous individuals. The book serves a dual purpose: to show how the school has changed over the past fifty years, and to highlight the wide range of careers and paths its students have taken. It is not only a source of information but also of inspiration for today’s students.