shock troops

American  

plural noun

Military.

1. troops especially selected, trained, and equipped for engaging in assault.

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shock troops British  

plural noun

1. soldiers specially trained and equipped to carry out an assault

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Etymology

Origin of shock troops

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Stormtroopers wear Totenkopf skulls for helmets and borrow their name from Hitler’s shock troops.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

The action had involved "shock" troops, sappers and boat specialists, the Chinese military newspaper added.

From Reuters • Oct. 11, 2021

It’s crawling down the valley’s western flank this week, tossing embers before it like shock troops.

From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2021

The brigaders were shock troops who generally, but not always, fought courageously.

From The Guardian • Oct. 22, 2020

Rhino-mounted Bantu shock troops could have overthrown the Roman Empire.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond