Heinrich Böll (1917-1985) was a German writer and Nobel laureate, known for his critical commentary on post-World War II German society and politics. He is considered one of the most important German writers of the 20th century, and his works continue to be widely read and studied today. Böll was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1917, and grew up in a Catholic family. He was drafted into the German army during World War II and was captured by American forces in 1945. This experience had a profound impact on him and influenced much of his writing, particularly his critiques of German militarism and authoritarianism. He began writing in the late 1940s, publishing his first novel, "Der Zug war pünktlich" (The Train Was on Time), in 1949. Böll's writing often dealt with the aftermath of World War II and the Nazi regime, exploring themes of guilt, responsibility, and the struggle for individual freedom in a society still coming to terms with its past. His works were also deeply critical of the Catholic Church and its role in German society, particularly in relation to issues of social justice and political freedom.

"Der Zug war pünktlich" (The Train Was on Time) is a novel by Heinrich Böll, published in 1949. The novel tells the story of Andreas, a soldier who boards a train in the Ruhr region to travel to the Eastern Front during World War II. Andreas knows from the beginning that he is most likely traveling towards his death. The novel covers only a short period in the life of the soldier, culminating in a car accident that presumably leads to Andreas's death. Böll, who himself fought in World War II, effectively portrays the brutality and consequences of war on individuals through the character of Andreas and the group he travels with.