 Simpson, in turn, ordered a combat command of the 2nd Armored Division, which had just reached Beckum, to make a advance southeast to Lippstadt, midway between Beckum and the stalled 3rd Armored Division spearhead.Early in the afternoon of 1 April elements of the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions met at Lippstadt, linking the 9th and 1st Armies and sealing the prized Ruhr industrial complex, along with Model's "Army Group B", within American lines.As March turned to April the offensive east of the Rhine was progressing in close accordance with Allied plans.