Reports leader transferring to Yankee barracks (5)

I believe the answer is:

yells

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'reports leader transferring' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'yankee barracks' is the wordplay.
'yankee' becomes 'Y' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'barracks' becomes 'ells' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'y'+'ells'='YELLS'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for yells that I've seen before include "Shouts loudly" , "Screams" , "Cries out" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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