Crossword Genius

Search volunteers coming back into battle (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

combat

'battle' is the definition.
('combat' can be a synonym of 'battle')

'search volunteers coming back' is the wordplay.
'search' becomes 'comb' (combing is a kind of searching).
'volunteers' becomes 'ta' (abbreviation for Territorial Army).
'coming back' is a reversal indicator.
'ta' in reverse letter order is 'at'.
'comb'+'at'='COMBAT'

'into' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for combat that I've seen before include "A fight or contest, sometimes mortal" , "Battle, warfare" , "Oppose" , "Fight - strive against" , "Battle or fight" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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