From here, the regiment would be positioned to cut the Axis line of retreat.

Kesselring hoped to thereby secure the Axis line of communication with North Africa.

At that time, when the Axis line collapsed in May 1943, the division was trapped.

Few reached Axis lines, but among them were 3,500 men of the Galizien SS.

This first Soviet attacks were held back by Axis defensive lines in northern Romania.

On 1 February 1943 the remnants of the corps reached Axis lines.

About half of them were later exchanged for American citizens trapped behind Axis lines.

When dropped behind Axis lines, the groups were to organize and guide the local self-established partisan units.

Its aim was to disrupt Axis lines of communication in the desert, in particular by attacks on enemy airfields.

There were a number of small actions but, by October 29, the Axis line was still intact.