cannon fodder

soldiers, especially infantrymen, who run the greatest risk of being wounded or killed in warfare.

Origin of cannon fodder

First recorded in 1890–95

Do you think I'm going to send him over there to be cannon-fodder?

Dangerous Days |Mary Roberts Rinehart
This "cannon-fodder" would go into battle without enthusiasm, would perform what was required of them like obedient machines.

The Nameless Castle |Maurus Jkai
The flower of Oxford was too valuable to be used as cannon-fodder.

Adventures of a Despatch Rider |W. H. L. Watson
Hannibal in his victories lost almost nobody but Gauls, his cannon-fodder, who fought with poor shields and without armor.

Battle Studies |Charles-Jean-Jacques-Joseph Ardant du Picq

Man for man, the alert, intelligent, and chivalrous British army was far superior to the cannon-fodder of the German machine.

The Day of Wrath |Louis Tracy

cannon fodder

men regarded as expendable because they are part of a huge army