Magnetic field configuration and flow pattern during near-Earth reconnection are studied in a realistic two-dimensional magnetotail with two different MHD simulations: (1) reconnection is forced at a given location by a nonuniform external inflow from the high-latitude boundary and (2) reconnection is initiated at a given location by applying initially a small localized resistivity which is subsequently switched off. In both cases we found essentially the same sequence of events, namely, onset of reconnection, plasmoid formation and subsequent tailward motion of the plasmoid. We studied in detail the Earthward flow speed during the reconnection process. It is found that large and supersonic Earthward flows occur Earthward of the X point. However, these flows occur only in the central current sheet after the plasma sheet has been pinched off and ejected tailward as a plasmoid. At this time the plasma and field characteristics in the central current sheet are lobelike. The Earthward flow diverges around the plasma sheet and constitutes a boundary layer. The speed in the central part of the plasma sheet Earthward of the X point reaches maximum velocities up to 0.2 in dimensionless units for about 20 unit times. In dimensional units this corresponds to maximum velocities of about 70 km/s for about 6 min. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1987