Crossword Genius

Weapons fail to hit Martinique and Guadeloupe? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

missiles

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

'weapons' is the definition.
(missile is a kind of weapon)

'fail to hit martinique and guadeloupe?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'fail' could be 'miss' (missing is a kind of failing) and 'miss' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'iles' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for missiles that I've seen before include "Projectiles" , "Projected weapons" , "Things thrown or shells fired" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app