Could such recruits have changed the war? (3)
I believe the answer is:
raw
'could such recruits' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'changed the war?' is the wordplay.
'changed' indicates an anagram.
'war' with letters rearranged gives 'RAW'.
'have' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for raw that I've seen before include "Inexperienced in war (3)" , "Like a recruit" , "Uncooked or unsavoury" , "not yet ready to eat" , "Natural" .)