The formation was announced on 28 August 1942 by the German occupying powers in Estonia and formally established on October 1, 1942.

[1] Oberführer Franz Augsberger was named commander of the legion and the later 3rd Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade.

[2] Battalion Narva formed from the first 800 men who finished their training at Dębica (Heidelager in 1943), and were sent in April 1943 to join the Division Wiking in Ukraine.

Retreating through the escape route called Hell's Gate, the battalion came under heavy Soviet fire with little cover.

[1] By January 1944 the German military situation in the Eastern front had worsened so far that a general conscription call was announced in Estonia on February 1, 1944.