Crossword Genius

Group of soldiers chopping up cedar (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cadre

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'group of soldiers' is the definition.
'cadre' can be an answer for 'group' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'of soldiers' bit.

'chopping up cedar' is the wordplay.
'chopping up' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'chopped up' mean this).
'cedar' anagrammed gives 'CADRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cadre that I've seen before include "Core group -- cared (anag)" , "Raced (anag) - small central group" , "Raced around with basic military unit" , "Nucleus of trained fighters" , "Nucleus of key personnel" .)

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