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Interior lines^[a] (as opposed to exterior lines) is a military term, derived from the generic term line of operation or line of movement.^[1] The term "interior lines" is commonly used to illustrate, describe, and analyze the various possible routes (lines) of logistics, supply, recon, approach, attack, evasion, maneuver, or retreat of armed forces. Interior line strategies are based on the fact that lines of movement and communication within an enclosed area are shorter and safer than those on the outside. As the area held by a defensive force shrinks, the interior line advantage held by the defensive force increases.^[2]^[3]

Skillful and comprehensive application of interior line tactics can, for a partially surrounded combat force, provide vital breathing space, greatly reduce time, effort, security, and secrecy of resupplies and redeployment, and decrease the number of casualties. These effects may have a great impact on morale and eventually prove decisive, as according to Napoleon Bonaparte: "in war morale forces are to physical three to one".^[4]^[5]

Tactic

In the context of battlefield tactics, interior lines allow for more rapid concentration of resources (firepower and manpower) and afford greater tactical flexibility. Resources are ideally brought to bear at a point where the adversary is not able to quickly respond, because of their longer external lines. Examples include:

At the Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC), the numerically superior Optimates, led by Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, defeated the more battle-hardened Populares, led by Gaius Julius Caesar, when Caesar attempted to encircle them.
During the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Brigadier General Hugh Percy utilized interior lines during the British retreat, as his men were often surrounded by militia.
At the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, Louis Nicolas Davout employed interior lines to defeat the main Prussian army.
At the Battle of Wagram, the French under Napoleon I defeated the Austrians by using interior lines to achieve local numerical superiority.
George Gordon Meade used interior lines against Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.^[6]

Strategy

As a strategy, interior lines are commonly employed to cut armies off from reinforcements and supplies, or prevent allies from uniting their forces. Interior lines often allow for a numerically inferior force to gain a numerical superiority over an adversary in a given locality, which increases the chances of overpowering an enemy and defeating it in detail. In overpowering an enemy locally, an army hopes to demoralize the enemy sufficiently to bring it to political terms.

Some examples include:

At the Battle of Montenotte, the First French Republic under Napoleon defeated the Austrians and destroyed an entire corps, thereby destroying the link between the Austrians and their allies, the Kingdom of Sardinia. As a result of the victory, the Sardinians were separated from Austria and were unable to defeat the French or rejoin the Austrians. They eventually sued for peace.
Frederick the Great's operational strategy, in his prosecution of the Seven Years' War against the separate armies of the French, the Russians and the Austrians, can be considered an example of the advantage of interior lines in warfare.
Interior lines also gave the Reds a distinct advantage over the Whites in the Russian Civil War.
General Robert E. Lee used interior lines during the Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War in 1862.^[7]
Though the Pusan Perimeter (Korea, 1950) was not an intentional strategy, the concentration of UN forces within the Perimeter allowed quick movement of supplies and reinforcements via interior lines.

Notes

Footnotes

^ a term invented by 19th century Swiss-French officer and prominent author Antoine-Henri Jomini

References

^ Michael D. Lundy (December 6, 2017). "Operations, chapter 5 - Passage of lines" (PDF). US Army. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
^ William O'Connor Morris (1895). Moltke a biographical and critical study. Рипол Классик. pp. 85–. ISBN 978-5-87074-092-8.
^ Alfred Higgins Burne (1946). Strategy as Exemplified in the Second World War: A Strategical Examination of the Land Operations. CUP Archive. pp. 17–. GGKEY:7F20S7AZG5P.
^ A General Biographical Dictionary: Comprising a Summary Account of the Most Distinguished Persons of All Ages, Nations, and Professions, Including More Than One Thousand Articles of American Biography ... A.V. Blake. 1845. pp. 1001–.
^ David T. Zabecki (27 September 2006). The German 1918 Offensives: A Case Study in The Operational Level of War. Routledge. pp. 66–. ISBN 978-1-134-25224-4.
^ Kent Masterson Brown, Esq. (1 August 2011). Retreat from Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics, and the Pennsylvania Campaign. UNC Press Books. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-0-8078-6942-0.
^ Kevin Dougherty (6 March 2015). The Vicksburg Campaign: Strategy, Battles and Key Figures. McFarland. pp. 107–. ISBN 978-1-4766-1993-4.

[1] term invented by 19th century Swiss-French officer and prominent author Antoine-Henri Jomini

[2] Michael D. Lundy (December 6, 2017). "Operations, chapter 5 - Passage of lines" (PDF). US Army. Retrieved May 4, 2020.

[Morris1895-3] William O'Connor Morris (1895). Moltke a biographical and critical study. Рипол Классик. pp. 85–. ISBN 978-5-87074-092-8.

[Burne1946-4] Alfred Higgins Burne (1946). Strategy as Exemplified in the Second World War: A Strategical Examination of the Land Operations. CUP Archive. pp. 17–. GGKEY:7F20S7AZG5P.

[5] A General Biographical Dictionary: Comprising a Summary Account of the Most Distinguished Persons of All Ages, Nations, and Professions, Including More Than One Thousand Articles of American Biography ... A.V. Blake. 1845. pp. 1001–.

[Zabecki2006-6] David T. Zabecki (27 September 2006). The German 1918 Offensives: A Case Study in The Operational Level of War. Routledge. pp. 66–. ISBN 978-1-134-25224-4.

[Esq.2011-7] Kent Masterson Brown, Esq. (1 August 2011). Retreat from Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics, and the Pennsylvania Campaign. UNC Press Books. pp. 44–. ISBN 978-0-8078-6942-0.

[Dougherty2015-8] Kevin Dougherty (6 March 2015). The Vicksburg Campaign: Strategy, Battles and Key Figures. McFarland. pp. 107–. ISBN 978-1-4766-1993-4.

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+{{short description|Method of movement and operation in warfare}}
-{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
-'''Interior lines'''{{efn|a term invented by 19th century Swiss-French officer and prominent author [[Antoine-Henri Jomini]]}} as opposed to '''exterior lines''' are two of a number of [[Military terminology|Military terms]] in a category, derived from the generic term ''line of operation'', also ''line of movement''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-0.pdf   |title= Operations, chapter 5 - Passage of lines | publisher= US Army | date=December 6, 2017 | author=Michael D. Lundy | accessdate= May 4, 2020  }}</ref> Commonly used to illustrate, describe, analyze, etc. the various possible routes (lines) of logistics, supply, recon, approach, attack, evasion, manouvre, retreat...(operation) of armed forces.
+'''Interior lines'''{{efn|a term invented by 19th century Swiss-French officer and prominent author [[Antoine-Henri Jomini]]}} (as opposed to '''exterior lines''') is a [[Military terminology|military term]], derived from the generic term ''line of operation'' or ''line of movement''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-0.pdf   |title= Operations, chapter 5 - Passage of lines | publisher= US Army | date=December 6, 2017 | author=Michael D. Lundy | accessdate= May 4, 2020  }}</ref> The term "interior lines" is commonly used to illustrate, describe, and analyze the various possible routes (lines) of logistics, supply, recon, approach, attack, evasion, maneuver, or retreat of armed forces.
-Interior line strategies are based on the fact that lines of movement and communication within an enclosed area are shorter and safer than those on the outside. As the area held by a defensive force shrinks, the advantages held by defensive force increase.<ref name="Morris1895">{{cite book|author=William O'Connor Morris|title=Moltke a biographical and critical study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cb8GAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85|year=1895|publisher=Рипол Классик|isbn=978-5-87074-092-8|pages=85–}}</ref><ref name="Burne1946">{{cite book|author=Alfred Higgins Burne|title=Strategy as Exemplified in the Second World War: A Strategical Examination of the Land Operations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axo9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA17|year=1946|publisher=CUP Archive|pages=17–|id=GGKEY:7F20S7AZG5P}}</ref>
+Interior line strategies are based on the fact that lines of movement and communication within an enclosed area are shorter and safer than those on the outside. As the area held by a defensive force shrinks, the interior line advantage held by the defensive force increases.<ref name="Morris1895">{{cite book|author=William O'Connor Morris|title=Moltke a biographical and critical study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cb8GAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA85|year=1895|publisher=Рипол Классик|isbn=978-5-87074-092-8|pages=85–}}</ref><ref name="Burne1946">{{cite book|author=Alfred Higgins Burne|title=Strategy as Exemplified in the Second World War: A Strategical Examination of the Land Operations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axo9AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA17|year=1946|publisher=CUP Archive|pages=17–|id=GGKEY:7F20S7AZG5P}}</ref>
-Skillful and comprehensive application of interior line tactics can for a partially surrounded, hard pressed combat force provide vital breathing space, greatly reduce time, effort, security and secrecy of resupplies and redeployment and decrease the number of casualties.  Once employed and pressed on, the resulting effects might accumulate. They will, however, have a great impact on morale and eventually prove decisive, as according to N. Bonaparte: ''"in war morale forces are to physic three to one"''.
+Skillful and comprehensive application of interior line tactics can, for a partially surrounded combat force, provide vital breathing space, greatly reduce time, effort, security, and secrecy of resupplies and redeployment, and decrease the number of casualties. These effects may have a great impact on morale and eventually prove decisive, as according to [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]: ''"in war morale forces are to physical three to one"''.<ref>{{cite book|title=A General Biographical Dictionary: Comprising a Summary Account of the Most Distinguished Persons of All Ages, Nations, and Professions, Including More Than One Thousand Articles of American Biography ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j1E4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1001|year=1845|publisher=A.V. Blake|pages=1001–}}</ref><ref name="Zabecki2006">{{cite book|author=David T. Zabecki|title=The German 1918 Offensives: A Case Study in The Operational Level of War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4b9_AgAAQBAJ&pg=PP66|date=27 September 2006|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-25224-4|pages=66–}}</ref>
 ==Tactic==
-[[Image:Korea War Phase I.svg|thumb|left|250px|By September 1950, US and South Korean Forces had been forced back to form the Pusan Perimeter in the South-East of the [[Korean Peninsula|peninsula]], giving the defenders shorter interior lines. This created a concentration of forces in defense, allowing quicker reinforcements and logistics. Fresh troops and supplies were increasingly being brought into the port in [[Busan|Pusan]], strengthening the defense even further and preventing a North Korean victory. By contrast, the North Korean supply line had lengthened, making offensive action harder to maintain. See also [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter logistics]].]]
+[[Image:Korea War Phase I.svg|thumb|left|250px|By September 1950, US and South Korean Forces had been forced back to form the Pusan Perimeter in the South-East of [[Korean Peninsula|the peninsula]], giving the defenders shorter interior lines. This created a concentration of forces in defense, [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter logistics|allowing quicker reinforcements and logistics]]. Fresh troops and supplies were increasingly being brought into the port in [[Busan|Pusan]], strengthening the defense even further and preventing a North Korean victory. By contrast, the North Korean supply line had lengthened, making offensive action harder to maintain.]]
+In the context of battlefield tactics, interior lines allow for more rapid concentration of resources (firepower and manpower) and afford greater tactical flexibility. Resources are ideally brought to bear at a point where the adversary is not able to quickly respond, because of their longer external lines. Examples include:
-[[File:Interior Lines.jpg|thumb|Right|Abstract Depiction of the advantages of interior lines in the scenario of battle field tactics.]]
-In the context of battlefield tactics, it allows more rapid concentration of resources (firepower and manpower) and so affords greater tactical flexibility. The resources are ideally brought to bear at a point where the adversary is not able to quickly respond, because of their longer external lines:
-#At the [[Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC)]], the numerically superior [[Optimates]], led by [[Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus]], defeated the more battle-hardened [[Populares]], led by [[Gaius Julius Caesar]], when Caesar attempted to encircle them.
-#During the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]], [[Brigadier General]] [[Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland|Hugh Percy]] utilized interior lines during the British retreat, as his men were often surrounded by [[Minutemen|militia]].
-#At the [[Battle of Jena-Auerstedt]], [[Louis Nicolas Davout]] employed interior lines to defeat the main [[Prussian army]].
-#At the [[Battle of Wagram]], the [[First French Empire|French]] under [[Napoleon I]] defeated the Austrians by acquiring interior lines and achieving local numerical superiority.
-#[[George Gordon Meade]] used it against [[Robert E. Lee]] at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] in 1863.
+* At the [[Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC)]], the numerically superior [[Optimates]], led by [[Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus]], defeated the more battle-hardened [[Populares]], led by [[Gaius Julius Caesar]], when Caesar attempted to encircle them.
+* During the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]], [[Brigadier General]] [[Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland|Hugh Percy]] utilized interior lines during the British retreat, as his men were often surrounded by [[Minutemen|militia]].
+* At the [[Battle of Jena-Auerstedt]], [[Louis Nicolas Davout]] employed interior lines to defeat the main [[Prussian army]].
+* At the [[Battle of Wagram]], the [[First French Empire|French]] under [[Napoleon I]] defeated the Austrians by using interior lines to achieve local numerical superiority.
+* [[George Gordon Meade]] used interior lines against [[Robert E. Lee]] at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] in 1863.<ref name="Esq.2011">{{cite book|author=Kent Masterson Brown, Esq.|title=Retreat from Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics, and the Pennsylvania Campaign|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1L9RtUE9LhwC&pg=PA44|date=1 August 2011|publisher=UNC Press Books|isbn=978-0-8078-6942-0|pages=44–}}</ref>
 ==Strategy==
-As a strategy, it is commonly employed to cut armies off from reinforcements and supplies, or prevent allies from uniting their forces. That usually allows for an adversary that may not be numerically superior to gain a numerical superiority over an adversary in a given locality, which increases the chances of overpowering an enemy and defeating it. By extension, in overpowering an enemy, an adversary hopes to demoralize it to a sufficient degree to bring it to political terms.
+As a strategy, interior lines are commonly employed to cut armies off from reinforcements and supplies, or prevent allies from uniting their forces. Interior lines often allow for a numerically inferior force to gain a numerical superiority over an adversary in a given locality, which increases the chances of overpowering an enemy and defeating it in detail. In overpowering an enemy locally, an army hopes to demoralize the enemy sufficiently to bring it to political terms.
+Some examples include:
-<big>Examples</big>
 [[File:Montenotte Campaign 21 April 1796.JPG|300px|thumb|right|upright=2.2|alt=Montenotte Campaign, Battle of Mondovì, 21 April 1796|After the [[Battle of Mondovi]], the French gained the advantage of having the interior position over their adversaries in the [[First Coalition]].]]
-# At the [[Battle of Montenotte]], the [[First French Republic]] under [[Napoleon Bonaparte|Napoleon]] defeated the [[Habsburg Monarchy|Austrians]] and destroyed an entire corps, thereby destroying the link between the Austrians and their allies [[Kingdom of Sardinia]]. As a result of the victory, the Sardinians were separated from Austria and were unable to defeat the French or rejoin the Austrians. They eventually sued for peace.
+* At the [[Battle of Montenotte]], the [[First French Republic]] under [[Napoleon Bonaparte|Napoleon]] defeated the [[Habsburg monarchy|Austrians]] and destroyed an entire corps, thereby destroying the link between the Austrians and their allies, the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]]. As a result of the victory, the Sardinians were separated from Austria and were unable to defeat the French or rejoin the Austrians. They eventually sued for peace.
-# [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick the Great's]] operational strategy, in his prosecution of the [[Seven Years' War]] against the separate armies of the French, the Russians and the Austrians, can be considered an example of the advantage of interior lines in warfare.
+* [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick the Great's]] operational strategy, in his prosecution of the [[Seven Years' War]] against the separate armies of the French, the Russians and the Austrians, can be considered an example of the advantage of interior lines in warfare.
-# It also gave the [[Red Army|Reds]] a distinct advantage over the [[White movement|Whites]] in the [[Russian Civil War]].
+* Interior lines also gave the [[Red Army|Reds]] a distinct advantage over the [[White movement|Whites]] in the [[Russian Civil War]].
-# [[General (CSA)|General]] [[Robert E. Lee]] used the strategy during the [[Battle of Antietam]] during the [[American Civil War]] in 1862.
+* [[General (CSA)|General]] [[Robert E. Lee]] used interior lines during the [[Battle of Antietam]] during the [[American Civil War]] in 1862.<ref name="Dougherty2015">{{cite book|author=Kevin Dougherty|title=The Vicksburg Campaign: Strategy, Battles and Key Figures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64X2BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|date=6 March 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-1993-4|pages=107–}}</ref>
-# Though the [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter|Pusan Perimeter]] (Korea, 1950) was not an intentional strategy, the concentration of UN forces within the Perimeter allowed quick movement of supplies and reinforcements via internal lines.
+* Though the [[Battle of Pusan Perimeter|Pusan Perimeter]] (Korea, 1950) was not an intentional strategy, the concentration of UN forces within the Perimeter allowed quick movement of supplies and reinforcements via interior lines.
 ==See also==
 * [[Military strategy]]
 * [[Two-front war]]
+* [[Encirclement]]
 == Notes ==