In July of 1941 a Dutch volunteer legion (Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande) was formed. Recruitment was large enough initially to possibly form a division. The Germans then proceeded to reject some of the officers and NCOs and replaced them with Germans. The Germans clamed that there was a lack of combat experience by the Dutch. This led to friction in the training stage and saw some Dutch volunteers resigned. With this rocky start behind them, Legion Niederlande arrived north of Lake Ilmen in January of 1942. After weeks of fighting, advancing, and finally being pushed back - the Legion was down to 20% in strength. In the spring of the following year the two-year contracts were up that were signed by the Dutch volunteers. Those having survived no longer believed German promises of a quick victory against the Soviets. With numbers lacking the Legion was formally disbanded.