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Wicked action caught it in a historical war site (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atrocity

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

'wicked action' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'caught it in a historical war site' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'caught' could be 'c' (cricket abbreviation) and 'c' is found in the answer.
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atrocity that I've seen before include "Extremely wicked or cruel act" , "Barbarity, inhumanity" , "Heinous deed" , "Frightful act of citatory kind" , "'Barbarity, heinous act (8)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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