In February 1943 the Battalion was sent to the front near Krasny Bor southeast of Leningrad where participated in repelling a major Soviet offensive on 19 March 1943. This action resulted in eight Estonians being recommended for the Iron Cross. The Battalion was moved to the frontline near Lake Ilmen in the spring of 1943, then to the Volkov River 18 km north of Novgorod on May 18. When the Red Army launched the Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive the following year on 14 January 1944, the 658th Battalion was redeployed during the night to Syrkovo village located north west of Novgorod where it repelled an attacking Soviet division, blocking their advance to Novgorod. Fighting continued around the area until February 5. For these battles the Commander of the 658th Battalion, Major Alfons Rebane, was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
