Priest Kolbe SP3RN arrested and sent to Auschwitz

In 1941, Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish priest and amateur radio operator with the call sign SP3RN, was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Auschwitz. Kolbe was accused of using his radio for espionage, as his activities and broadcasts were perceived as threats by the Nazi regime. In Auschwitz, Kolbe continued his pastoral work under dire conditions and ultimately sacrificed his life by volunteering to die in place of another prisoner. His dedication to his faith and humanitarian efforts, coupled with his involvement in amateur radio, highlight his remarkable courage and commitment. Today, he is venerated as a martyr and saint, and his story remains an inspiring testament to the resilience and moral strength of amateur radio operators in times of oppression.