Final answer:
The battle for control of Buchenwald was brief, with SS guards showing little resistance and prioritizing their own escape, reflecting the collapse of the Nazi regime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The battle for control of Buchenwald was not particularly lengthy or intense. As Allied forces approached, almost all of the higher-ranking SS guards fled, leaving behind approximately two hundred lower-ranking members who offered sporadic resistance. The lack of organized defense by the SS at Buchenwald shows that the guards prioritized their own safety over their duty to guard the camp as Allied forces closed in. This also reflects the chaotic state of Nazi Germany in the closing days of World War II, as the power structure collapsed and individuals scrambled to evade responsibility for their actions and avoid capture.