flying column

American  

noun

Military.

1. (formerly) a force of troops equipped and organized to move swiftly and independently of a principal unit to which it is attached.

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Etymology

Origin of flying column

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Bob’s group was a part of this flying column and traveled 100 miles in three days to liberate the prisoners.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2015

When Gen. MacArthur heard of the Japanese military’s plan to kill the prisoners, he organized a flying column to liberate the people.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2015

He advanced in a flying column of Land-rovers, and it was a walkover.

From Time Magazine Archive

At Ludlow, a hundred cottagers, gathered in the square, peered at the flying column, cheered.

From Time Magazine Archive

The balloons operated with a force which marched out from Aldershot against a flying column of the enemy encamped near the Frensham ponds.

From The War in the Air; Vol. 1 The Part played in the Great War by the Royal Air Force by Raleigh, Walter Alexander, Sir