 Simpson began by moving elements of the XIX Corps′ 2nd Armored Division into the XVI Corps bridgehead on 28 March with orders to cross the Lippe east of Wesel, thereby avoiding that city's traffic jams.After passing north of the Lippe on 29 March, the 2nd Armored Division broke out late that night from the forward position that the XVIII Airborne Corps had established around Haltern, northeast of Dorsten.On the 30th and 31st, the 2nd Armored made an uninterrupted drive east to Beckum, cutting two of the Ruhr's three remaining rail lines and severing the autobahn to Berlin.