in april 1943, i. battalion of the 1st ss volunteer regiment was retitled volunteer battalion narwa ( narwa) and detached from the legion. it joined the nordic-recruited 5th ss panzer division wiking, replacing a finnish ss battalion. volunteer battalion narwa distinguished itself fighting as part of the 5th ss division until it returned to estonia in july 1944. about the same time as the i. battalion was detached, the legion became operational. continuing manpower shortages resulted in the introduction of conscription at this time, with about 12,000 men called up, of whom about 5,300 were sent to the legion.