As soon as Norway fell, the Waffen SS opened a recruitment office in Oslo for the Freiwilligen Legion Norwegen. Numbers were low at first with only 300 coming forward. This group was to be a part of the Nordland division. In August of 1941 a new unit was formed, though SS control was hidden. Two battalions were formed at first - Viken and Viking. By March about 1,200 men were combat ready. They were sent to the Soviet Front near the city of Leningrad. The unit was continually worn down by patrols and skirmishes, until it was virtually wiped out - rather then massive battles destroying it. With low numbers enlisting, the Freiwilligen Legion Norwegen was slowly brought back to full strength. By early 1943 after being switched around, the Legion had suffered very high casualties and was pulled back to Norway. In May they were officially disbanded.