Yes, this was my reading of it too--line in the sense of line of
battle, front line, etc. I know I've seen the term used in this
sense with regards to military units, but I'm not close to expert
enough to quote sources off the top of my head. However Websters
does have this to say:
Line (n), def'n 6
e: 1- The combatant forces of an army distinguished from the staff
corps and supply services
f: 2- officers of the army belonging to a combatant branch { as in "a
line officer" }
I guess this is a case to appeal to the author(s)--what was meant in this case?
--Bryan
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