Launch advance and capture ordinary soldiers by the hundred (8)
I believe the answer is:
commence
'launch' is the definition.
(I know that launch is a more specific form of the action commence)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for commence that I've seen before include "open" , "Start, begin" , "Kick off" , "Start up, set about" , "Originate" .)