Possible Clues:

• Ideal material for a plinth?
• Lead, copper or tin, for example (2 words)
• From HQ, head of military and others providing lead, perhaps
• This element, not a precious one, lets a beam refract
• Copper, perhaps, and others, going after evil male
• Meets trouble: god is about, going to lead, say
• Lead, for example, special team into European city
• Iron the pedestal was made of?
• One approaching retreat seriously
• Most of an alloy