Wikipedia
A line of communication (or communications) is the route that connects an operating military unit with its supply base. Supplies and reinforcements are transported along the line of communication. Therefore, a secure and open line of communication is vital for any military force to continue to operate effectively. Prior to the advent of the use of telegraph and radio in warfare, lines of communication were also the routes used by despatch riders on horseback and runners to convey and deliver orders and battle updates to and from unit commanders and headquarters. Thus, a unit whose lines of communication were compromised was vulnerable to becoming isolated and defeated, as the means for requesting reinforcements and resupply is lost. The standard military abbreviation is LOC, or SLOC for Sea line of communication or ALOC for air line of communication.
The interdiction of supplies and reinforcements to units closer to the front lines is therefore an important strategic goal for opposing forces. Some notable examples:
- The Siege of Vicksburg in the American Civil War, in which Ulysses S. Grant encircled the city, leading to its eventual surrender in July 1863
- The Battle of France in World War II, in which the Germans cut off the French and British armies in Belgium (although the Dunkirk evacuation rescued over 330,000 of them)
- The encirclement of German 6th Army in the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II
- United States attacks on the Ho Chi Minh trail during the Vietnam War
Usage examples of "line of communication".
And along the line of communication there flowed an essence of the reaction from the Glis—.
If anyone could inspire one of her subordinates to risk trying to do an end run around me to set up some clandestine line of communication, she's the one.
The Spaniards, finding their line of communication threatened, advanced in force from their position by the sea, and their forts opened a heavy fire on the little work thrown up.
The message reaching me was erratic, such as a faulty line of communication would make.
The rude path, which originally formed their line of communication, had been widened for the passage of wagons.
Keeping them ignorant of a line of communication to their comatose child wouldn't only be unprofessional, but inhumanly cruel as well.
They must have eagerly awaited the chance to go home, after learning the ways of man and establishing a line of communication.
But a code used between people required prearrangement, some line of communication already open.
He must open an independent line of communication with the space-based forces, if Vordarian has truly choked off Imperial Headquarters.
If anyone could inspire one of her subordinates to risk trying to do an end run around me to set up some clandestine line of communication, shes the one.
In other words, rather than being at the end of the line of communication with Phnom Penh, Kratie could henceforth be in the midst of a borderless prosperity sphere.
And keep runners with you, ensuring at all times there is a line of communication between the War Council and yourselves.