 On the morning of 10 April, the 12th U.S. Army Group's drive to the Elbe began in earnest.The Elbe River was the official eastward objective, but many American commanders still eyed Berlin.By the evening of 11 April, elements of the 9th Army's 2nd Armored Division—seemingly intent on demonstrating how easily their army could take that coveted prize—had dashed to reach the Elbe southeast of Magdeburg, just short of the German capital.