The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word SOMME
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
O
M
M
E
More clues leading to the result SOMME
- Mark's overcome by a certain World War One battle
- The French department giving a few extra marks
- Mile taken in a remarkable battle
- Wartime saboteurs receiving medal for battle
- Server of 1D, not someone who waits in ambush in battle site
- Wine waiters lose half the battle
- Few protecting millions in war zone
- Miles covered by a remarkable runner
- Secret service once carrying gong into battle
- Monsieur bathing in a little French river
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "battle" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case battle = somme.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.