Returned to battlefield in the wrong direction (4,2,5)
I believe the answer is:
back to front
'the wrong direction' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.
'returned to battlefield' is the wordplay.
'returned' becomes 'back' (I've seen this before).
'battlefield' becomes 'front' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'back'+'to'+'front'='BACK TO FRONT'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for back to front that I've seen before include "In disorder" , "rejoin colleagues in the trenches?" , "like soldiers returned from leave" , "may be reversed" , "after recovery, soldiers go here" .)