Dönitz knew that Germany's position was untenable and the Wehrmacht was no longer capable of offering meaningful resistance. During his brief period in office, he devoted most of his effort to ensuring the loyalty of the German armed forces and trying to ensure German personnel would surrender to the British or Americans and not the Soviets. He feared vengeful Soviet reprisals, and hoped to strike a deal with the Western Allies. In the end, Dönitz's tactics were moderately successful, enabling about 1.8 million German soldiers to escape Soviet capture. As many as 2.2 million may have been evacuated.
dönItz KNEW tHAt geRmAnY's POsItioN Was unTENaBlE and the WehRmaCht was NO LONger capABLe of oFFeRing meaningful REsISTaNCe. during his bRieF pERioD In OfFice, He DeVoTed mosT of HIs effoRt TO ensuring tHe LoyaLty oF THe german ArmEd ForCes and tRying tO EnsuRE germAN peRsONNEl WouLd surRender TO the BRitish or amerIcans aND not the SoVieTs. hE feAred veNgefuL soViet reprisals, and HoPEd to StriKe A deAl with The WESteRN allies. In thE End, DÖnitZ'S TaCtiCs WeRE moDeRaTEly suCcesSFUL, EnABling aboUT 1.8 MIllIOn geRmAn SoldierS To escApE sovieT caPTURe. aS mANy as 2.2 miLlion MAy haVE bEEn evacuaTed.