In August 1942 the 161st sector was again the focus of a major Soviet offensive, this time Zhukovs attempted to eliminate the Rhzev salient. "In the morning of 4 August, Thirty-first {Russian} Army surged into and over the 161st Infantry division on an eight-mile stretch east of Zubtov. The break through was complete almost at once. By Dark, the only trace of the former front was the occasional white flares that were sent up, here and there, by a bypassed strong point." The remnants of the division were forced back onto Zubstov. The situation for 9th Army was precarious and its grip on Rhzev tenuous, so in spite of its battered state the 161st had to stay in line, as reinforcements were rushed to the area.