During World War II, resistance movements flourished across Nazi-occupied Europe, including in Denmark. Brave men and women risked their lives to oppose the regime, often operating in total secrecy. But the resistance also faced threats from within. One of the most infamous informants in Danish history was Grethe Bartram, a young woman whose betrayal of the resistance—and even her own family—has made her a symbol of treachery.
.jpg)
Born in 1924 in Aarhus, Denmark, Grethe Bartram grew up in a working-class, communist family. Her father and brother were active in the resistance against the Nazi occupation, which began in 1940. Grethe herself was involved in left-wing youth circles, but her loyalties shifted over time. By the age of 18, she had become a police informant, turning over names of resistance members to the Gestapo in exchange for money and personal safety.
The Betrayals Begin
Between 1942 and 1944, Grethe Bartram’s cooperation with the Nazis led to the arrest of at least 53 resistance fighters, many of whom were later executed or deported to concentration camps. Her betrayals were particularly chilling because they targeted people close to her. Among those she turned in were her own brother, husband, and several close friends. Her actions devastated the communist resistance networks in Aarhus and surrounding regions.
She would gain information during meetings and pass it to her German contacts. Many she betrayed believed they were speaking with a trusted comrade. Her youthful appearance and calm demeanor made her a master manipulator.
Arrest and Trial
After the war ended in 1945, Denmark began a nationwide purge of collaborators. Grethe Bartram was arrested and tried for treason. Her trial shocked the nation. The idea that a young woman from a committed communist family had worked so effectively with the Nazis horrified the public.
In 1947, she was sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to life imprisonment. Many believed her gender and youth spared her from the firing squad. She served 11 years in prison before being released in 1956.
Life After Prison
After her release, Bartram moved to Sweden under a new identity, where she lived in relative obscurity for the rest of her life. She never publicly expressed remorse for her actions, and the Danish public never forgave her. Her name became synonymous with betrayal.
Grethe Bartram died in 2017 at the age of 92.
Legacy
Grethe Bartram’s story remains one of Denmark’s darkest wartime chapters. Her case is still studied in Danish schools and military history classes as a warning about the dangers of betrayal from within. Her motivations remain debated—some argue she was coerced, others believe she was driven by opportunism or personal grievances.
Regardless of why she did it, her actions had devastating consequences. Her story is a powerful reminder that in times of war, the most dangerous enemies are sometimes those who seem closest.