The lack of equipment was particularly challenging and cholera hit the Allied expeditionary force. Nevertheless, the "leather bellies" (the nickname given to the legionnaires by the Russians because of the large cartridge pouches that they wore attached to their waist-belts), performed well. On 21 June 1855, the Third Battalion, left Corsica for Crimea.
the lacK oF equiPMent waS pArticulaRly chAlLenginG aND chOLeRa hIT the aLlied eXPeditioNARY foRce. nEVertheless, thE "Leather bellies" (thE nicKnamE given to THe legioNnaiREs By thE russiaNS bECAuse of The largE cArtrIdge pOUchEs That they wORe aTtachED tO TheiR waIst-BElts), perforMed weLl. on 21 jUNe 1855, the third battALIOn, left corsiCA foR CrImea.