siege lines
Surrounding military fortifications
Siege lines are the fortifications, trenches, and defensive positions that encircle a besieged city or fortress.
Attacking armies construct them to prevent escape, block supplies, and protect their own forces during prolonged operations: The Confederate garrison was trapped within Union siege lines at Vicksburg.
The term appears in military history and strategy games.
- sapsErodes vitality slowly
- famineSevere food shortage
- trenchesElongated ground excavations
- gabionsStone-filled wire enclosures
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
cutting off · redoubts · blockade · disease outbreaks · bombardment · parapets · glacis · sally port · palisades · trebuchets · catapults · breaching · cannon fire · attrition warfare · battering rams · fear tactics · white flag · Leningrad
siege linesfrontal assault
Attack from the front
storming · blitzkrieg · cavalry charge · escalade · direct attack
siege linesmobile warfare
Combat emphasizing movement over position
fighting retreat · advance · pitched battle · guerrilla warfare
siege linesrelief force
Troops sent to assist
breakout · sortie · sally · rescue operation · supply convoy
siege, lines, line, sieges, sieged, sieging, besiege, besieged, besieging