supply line

supply line (plural supply lines)

1. The chain of transportation mechanisms supplying food and materiel to an army in battle, or other field operation.
   • Having cracked the Germans' Enigma traffic, the Allies were able to devastate Rommel's supply lines across the Mediterranean.
   • 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Disrupt Enemy Supplies:

     Hostile forces are putting pressure on our people. Take out their supply line to give our troops room to breathe.

2. (by extension) Any system in place to provide resources to a group.
   • 2018 February 24, Paul Rees, “Finn Russell masterminds historic Scotland victory over England”, in The Guardian‎, London, archived from the original on 22 April 2018:

     John Barclay and [Stuart] McInally controlled the tackle area, denying England quick possession and fracturing the champions’ supply line, Simon Berghan anchored the scrum and behind Finn Russell, missing in action in the opening two rounds, fulfilled his captain Barclay’s prediction on the eve of the game that he would be the man of the match.