But in 1943 the High Command decided reinforcements were needed for the Leningrad offensive. In 1943, he voluntarily joined the Estonian Legion. Three Estonian volunteer battalions were sent to Volkhov, when Nugiseks joined 660th commanded by Major Ellram. The 1st Estonian SS Volunteers was formed at Debica, Poland in August 1942 from police battalions such as Nugiseks. By March 1943 the unit was fighting with the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking on the Mius Front in the Ukraine. Two months later it was expanded into a No.3 Brigade consisting of two regiments, of three battalions each. They fought in hard battles against Communist Partisans and Soviet Regulars on the Nevel Front, and then at Velikye Luki. By November 1943, Nugiseks had already come under enemy fire, but the following month was transferred to the newly-formed 16th Army. In February 1944 his brigade joined Felix Steiner's III (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps, renowned for hard fighting and tactical victories. In the teeth of repeated counter-attacks by the SS Estonian Division the Soviet infantry were relentless, breaking through the lines. After a month of brutal and incessant fighting at Siivertsi, thrown back into the river several times, the Soviets eventually reached Nugiseks position to the north of the village Narwa. The Dutch Nederland brigade's engineers were brought up to plug the gap in the line, but the Soviets called on massive reinforcements. The Estonians were short of men and facing insuperable odds.