in may 1943, the germans expanded the legion to brigade size, initially titling it as the estonian ss volunteer brigade (), under the command of augsberger. the 1st ss volunteer regiment became the 45th ss volunteer regiment, and the 53rd artillery battalion was formed to support the brigade. in july 1943, the 657th estonian company and 660th estonian battalion were used to help form the 46th ss volunteer regiment as the second regiment of the brigade. in october, the brigade was retitled the 3rd ss volunteer brigade. most of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the brigade were estonian, including the two regimental commanders, and the brigade reached a strength of 5,099 men by december. from november the brigade had been committed to fighting partisans at nevel near velikiye luki in the soviet union, and in december it moved further north to staraya russa where it joined the german 16th army. the first steps in expanding the brigade into a division also began in december. in january 1944, the brigade was sent back to estonia to help defend against a soviet offensive.