Summit lanterns were sold by Gerrit Janssen, Arnhem, Roermondsplein 15A. A few months ago I bought a lantern from an other collector, he showed me some photo's of the family Janssen. He got this photo's from the son of Gerrit Janssen, and the next story. Gerrit Janssen had his workplace in Arnhem almost untill the end of WW2 . In Arnhem were very heavy fights during WW2, because there was a very important bridge on the river Rijn. British and polish parachutists were dropped behind enemy lines and try to capture that bridge (Operation Market Garden). There was a lot resistance from the germans. Some Canadian forces came to help the Britsch and Polish forces. At the Roermondsplein they blow up a lot off houses for a better field of fire, to attack the germans on the bridge. One of that houses was the workplace of Gerrit Janssen, and also the end of Summit lanterns. The first photo Gerrit Jansen and his family, second photo Gerrit Janssen, his children and ??
It certainly is, and sad, too. US forces were also involved in that action. There was a movie several years ago entitled, "A Bridge too Far". The horrors of war...
All the more reason to hold on to these lanterns! They are a bit of history you can actually feel and hold on to, not just read about. It gives a wonderful perspective on life as it was at the time it was made. A bygone era.
That is probably Gerrit's brother Dirk who came back from the East Indies with Gerrit and started a shoe factory in Arnhem. There does seem to be a family resemblance there. Interesting piece of history. Thanks for this. ::Neil::
Hi Johan, Some years ago, the Summit lanterns were in the fog. Now seeing the pictures of Mr Janssen and is familly is impressive. Thank you for sharing these valuable documents Regards, Titoo.
