Base of operations

The base of operations is the entirety of all bases and naval bases of armed forces in the area from which an operation begins. In addition to military installations (fortresses, depots), this can also include traffic installations (railway lines, ports, airports). Political or military reasons may make it necessary to relocate the base of operations.

The armed forces rely on this base of operations during their operations. If they move away from it, the connection route is known as the line of operations . When relocating the base of operations, maintaining and adjusting the line of operations is of critical importance.

Historical example

The base of operations for the invasion of Normandy was initially the east coast of the United States . After the required material was made available in Great Britain, the base of operations was also relocated there. After the successful invasion and the displacement of the German troops to the east, the base of operations was moved to the two artificial harbors in front of the landing beaches. The Allies had to rely on this extremely narrow base of operations, as all French Atlantic ports were declared fortresses on Hitler's orders and stubbornly defended by the German garrisons. Only after this resistance was broken could the Allied base of operations in France be extended to the entire north and west coast and the armies could be supplied with the necessary quantities. The instruction to hold the Atlantic ports was directed against the expansion of the Allied base of operations.

literature

• Carl von Clausewitz : Vom Kriege - Second Part - 15th Chapter , Berlin 1832–1834, (Ed. By Marie von Clausewitz ) (available here on the Internet)
• Ulrich Steindorff (Hrsg.): War pocket book - a reference dictionary about the world war , Leipzig and Berlin 1916