Crossword Genius

To attack by air may be faster (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strafe

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

'to attack' is the definition.
(to strafe is to attack from the air)

'air may be faster' is the wordplay.
'faster' can be anagrammed to 'STRAFE'.
But, I am not clear how this is indicated.

'by' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for strafe that I've seen before include "Rake with machine-gun fire" , "low attack" , "Attack from the air with machine guns" , "Attack with machine-guns from the air" , "Attack with machine guns or cannon from a low-flying plane" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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