On February 8 the snowstorm continued. In the morning the division was forced back from its previous line and, following stubborn fighting, withdrew to a line from Korovi Verkhi to Belovskie Dvory to Teplyi where it established contact with elements of the 240th Division. Siebert's group was attempting to break through to Tim but was foiled by the 240th. On the same day elements of 60th Army liberated Kursk, while 40th Army reached Belgorod and completely cleared it on February 9. Meanwhile, Siebert's group, which was moving to the south, was getting into the rear of the 232nd Division and Chibisov ordered Colonel Dyakonov to attack in the direction of Pogozhee and Kuskino and by day's end was engaging Siebert's rearguard in the vicinity of the former place. Despite this assistance the 232nd and 167th Divisions were threatened with encirclement and began pulling back, allowing all three Axis groupings to withdraw through Manturovo in the direction of Solntsevo.Soviet General Staff, Rollback, Kindle ed., Part IV, section 3
