BattlesWars:BattleOfEndor

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Battle of Endor

The Battle of Endor is the climax of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. It is also where the small rebellion joins together and scatters the Galactic Empire into small remnants. When the Rebels captured the Death Star II plans and the fact that Emperor Palpatine himself was overseeing its final stage of construction, they didn’t realize it was a trap. The Emperor had any Bothans who found out of the trap killed, along with any official who opposed the assault on the Second Death Star.

The Rebels, under the impression that they weren’t supposed to find the plans, believed that the Second Death Star was not fully operational and minimally defended. As they gathered above Sullust, they created a plan to use their capital ships to bombard the surface while the fighters would fly into the superstructure to knock out the main reactor. A rebel commando team would proceed ahead of the main assault force and land on Endor to knock out the shield generator protecting the Second Death Star. They would use the stolen Lambda-class shuttle Tyderium.

The Emperor staged his best troops on Endor. He created a perimeter around the future battle space with Interdictor Cruisers, whose gravity well projectors would prevent the Rebel fleet from escaping into hyperspace. The gravity well from the Second Death Star itself would add to the effect. An enormous fleet hid to the opposite side of Endor as to where the Rebels would come out of hyperspace.

The shuttle Tyderium, disguised as a cargo ship with supplies and technicians for Endor, used a secret, but older code to get passed the shields and land. The team, led by General Han Solo, managed to eliminate the few scout troopers at the landing area and befriended the Ewoks, who eventually became allies. Luke Skywalker, who was part of the commando team, sensed that Darth Vader knew he was there. So that he didn’t endanger the team, he surrendered himself to the Imperials. Commander Igar took Luke to the Imperial Landing Platform via the All-Terrain Armored-Transport, or AT-AT, Tempest 1, where they met Vader. Igar was given permission to engage in an extensive search for more rebels while Luke was taken to the Emperor by Vader.

The commandos split into two groups, the Rebel Commando Team and the “Heroes of Yavin”. Major Bren Derlin, who led the Rebel Commando Team, camped in a ravine for the night. During the night, an All-Terrain Scout-Transport, or AT-ST, came upon the rebel camp. Corporal Beezer jammed its transmissions while Lieutenant Greeve shot both search lights. Then Corporal Develar used a Caspel Projectile Launcher to fire a smoke canister into one of the viewports. This forced the AT-ST pilots to surrender. The rebels then made them perform their regular call-in before killing them.

The following morning, the two groups met at 0300 at the shield generator. Wicket Warrick informed the team of a secret entrance on the other side of the ridge. When they arrived, there were four scout troopers guarding the entrance. Paploo hopped on a speeder bike and caused three of the scout troopers to pursue him. Han Solo then tapped the remaining guard on the shoulder and the trooper chased Solo to the commando team. The team then positioned the trooper’s armor outside the entrance as a decoy and used the stolen codes to open the blast doors.

Navigating with a stolen map, the team encountered no resistance at the first three cross-corridors, but at the fourth there were six stormtroopers. Two stormtroopers were killed almost instantly, while another lost his E-11 blaster rifle and hid behind a refrigerator console. Two stormtroopers stood behind the door and blasted the commandos as they entered. After four commandos were killed, Chewbacca rammed the door, causing it to crush the two troopers. The last trooper was shot by Princess Leia. The unarmed trooper who was hiding was tackled by Han. They then continued to the control room.

The Rebels blew the lock on the blast door to the control room, surprising Major Hewex. He and three navy troopers were forced into a corner while three commandos covered the exits where one more Imperial officer was knocked out. The remaining rebels began to place their explosive charges. C-3PO, R2-D2, and Wicket saw one commando being taken prisoner while an Imperial officer and navy troopers entered the complex. Wicket immediately ran off to gather the other Ewoks. Colonel Dyer entered the control room with his blaster drawn and ordered the Rebels to freeze. Han threw a charge at the officer knocking him over the railing to his death. The stormtroopers and navy troopers rushed the room and took the team prisoner. Lieutenant Renz pointed his blaster at Han and said, “You Rebel Scum!” Major Hewex then took Chewbacca’s bowcaster.

Around this time, the Rebel fleet was emerging from hyperspace. As soon as the ships emerged, they were jammed so Lando Calrissian, piloting the Millennium Falcon, could not tell if the shield protecting the Second Death Star was up or down. Realizing the predicament he ordered everyone to pull up. Three X-Wings crashed into the shield and were destroyed. Admiral Ackbar, Admiral of the fleet and aboard his flagship Home One, ordered the ships to take evasive action, and for Green Group to stay at Holding Sector MV-7. A bridge officer on Home One shouted that there were enemy ships in sector 47. Ackbar, immediately seeing it was a trap, tried to retreat, but the Imperial fleet closed in from both sides pinning the Rebels between them and the Second Death Star.

In the beginning, Gold Wing was hit hard and Ackbar ordered more covering fire for that group. Grey Wing was taken out early in the battle and Grey Leader was killed. Lando ordered the fighters to draw fire away from the capital ships, and at one point had to protect the communications ship Mon Calamari MC80a Independence and the Medical Frigate Redemption from being destroyed. They were successful, and managed to destroy 160 TIE Fighters and TIE Interceptors in just over 9 minutes.

During the initial stage of the battle, A-Wings used their jammers to significantly decrease the accuracy of the Imperial TIE starfighters. Green Squadron provided a fighter screen for the capital craft against fighters and bombers. Blue Squadron attacked Imperial command ships.

While all this was happening above the planet of Endor, the commando team was being led out into a huge group of troops. C-3PO, commanded by R2-D2, shouted to the troops and six stormtroopers went up to capture the droids. As they arrived, 15 Ewoks sprang up and overpowered the troops. Then Teebo and another Ewok signaled the other Ewoks to attack. Hundreds sprang up from the vegetation and started shooting their bow and arrows at the surprised Imperial troops.

Taking advantage of the mass confusion, the Rebels managed to gather their weapons. Some Imperial officers and troopers retreated into the bunker and sealed the blast door. Others went into the forest in pursuit of the Ewoks. Leia shot the AT-ST pilot who was still atop his transport. Han and Leia took cover at the entrance to the bunker, the commandos positioned themselves around the bunker so that they didn’t have anyone shooting at their backs and to prevent enemy troops from taking cover, and Chewbacca ran into the woods.

Scout troopers mounted their speeder bikes to chase the Ewoks, but were crushed by stones thrown from Ewoks in the trees. Stormtroopers were knocked down by Ewoks on vines and then beaten to death with rock clubs. The AT-ST’s were busy blasting away at the Ewoks. One trap was to trip an AT-ST using a vine strung between two trees, but it failed, causing the Ewoks to be dragged along. Some Ewoks hit the AT-ST ankles, but that had no effect. Other Ewoks shoved pebbles into its joints, which did cause some damage. Ewoks on gliders dropped rocks on the AT-STs, but it was only an irritation. Catapults throwing rocks at the AT-STs only caused the transport to turn its head and shoot at them. Vines were set up at throat level to knock scout troopers off their speeder bikes. Ewoks used bolas, spears, rocks, and nets to fight the Imperial troops. The Ewoks had the upper hand because they were drawing the Imperials away from the bunker and into the Ewoks’ home territory. Leia called R2-D2 to come to the blast door since the codes were changed.

During this, the Rebels ships continued their attack. Lando wondered why the capital ships weren’t attacking. Imperial Commander Merrijk informed Admiral Firmus Piett that the Imperial ships were in position to attack, but Piett ordered the ships not to fire. Moments later the Rebels found out the Second Death Star was actually fully operational. The superlaser was fired and the MC80 Liberty was destroyed, surprising the Rebel fleet. Ackbar ordered a retreat but Lando said to give the commandos more time.

On Endor, the two droids made their way to the bunker, but as R2-D2 connected to the terminal he was shot. Han decided to hot-wire the controls while Leia covered him.

Back in space, another Mon Calamari cruiser was destroyed by the superlaser. Ackbar ordered the fleet to engage the Imperial capital ships and to use them as shields against the superlaser. Cargo ships with explosives were sent on suicide runs against the Imperial Star Destroyers. The Rebels focused their attack on the Star Destroyer Avenger, which was the main communications ship. The ship was disabled (out of operation, but could be repaired) at the cost of another Mon Calamari cruiser. The Rebel fighters then came to the aid and destroyed the Avenger. Green Wing was destroyed from an exploding shield generator, while Blue Leader was caught up in the explosion, which also took out another, smaller Imperial ship. During this stage of the battle, the TIE Interceptors were able to take advantage of the Rebel fighters, destroying half of what was left. The Super Star Destroyer Executor, which was the flagship of the Imperial fleet, was providing cover fire for the TIE Interceptors. During this, the Emperor was trying to force Luke to the darkside by showing him that the fleet and commando team was doomed to fail. All that he was fighting for was going to be over.

On Endor, the Ewoks led AT-STs into pits covered with leaves, caused a rock slide, poured burning lizard oil on the walkers, smashing the cockpits with two swinging logs, rolling logs down slopes, and opened flood gates. Chewbacca, Wicket, and Teebo managed to capture an AT-ST and used it to destroy enemy troops and walkers. During this, 2 more commandos were killed and Han’s attempt to hot-wire the controls led to another blast door closing. Then Leia was hit in the arm with a blaster shot and two stormtroopers came to capture them. With Han blocking their views, Leia pulled out a blaster. When Han moved, she shot both troopers. As soon as that happened Chewie pulled up with his stolen AT-ST.

Back in space, another Star Destroyer was destroyed, and a Mon Calamari cruiser who was going up in a ball of fire, flew next to another Star Destroyer, taking that one out also. The superlaser fired again, destroying the Bulk Cruiser Urjani. The Falcon chased two TIE Interceptors near the Executor and destroyed them, but found itself in a massive fire fight. They escaped into the main hanger of the Executor and fired concussion missiles, causing a fireball that covered their escape from the area.

On Endor, the Rebels managed to kill the rest of the Imperial forces outside the bunker. Han then dressed himself into an AT-ST’s pilot uniform and asked Major Hewex for more troops to continue the pursuit of the Rebels. When Lieutenant Renz opened the blast doors, the three squads of Imperials were faced with the commandos and Ewoks and surrendered. Han, Chewbacca, and five commandos rushed into the bunker and placed 11 charges. They ran out just as the charges exploded. This destroyed the shield protecting the Second Death Star, and let the Rebel ships continue their assault.

To continue the attack, the Rebels had to destroy the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Vehement and 128 TIE starfighters that were protecting the entrance to the superstructure. This was done quickly and the Rebels turned to enter the Second Death Star.

Moff Jerjorred received orders from the Emperor to turn and destroy Endor with the superlaser. As the Falcon, 2 X-Wings, 2 A-Wings, and 1 Y-Wing began their run, Grey Squadron provided cover until they got to the entrance, under Colonel Horton Salm’s orders. It was at this time that Luke and Darth Vader were engaged in a fierce lightsaber battle. After injuring Vader, he realized that Luke was right, that there was good still in him. Vader then threw the Emperor over the railing to his death. Now that the Emperor was dead, his dark side influence over the entire Imperial Navy and Army was lifted. This caused confusion among all Imperial personnel and they began to make fatal errors. Commander Wedge Antilles led the flight through the Second Death Star with Lando and Lieutenant Tycho following. Behind them were 3 TIE Fighters and 3 TIE Interceptors. One TIE Fighter hit the side of the superstructure and bounced around until it was destroyed. After an X-Wing was destroyed, the remaining Rebel fighters then broke off towards the surface to draw out the remaining TIEs. Two TIE Interceptors remained to pursue Wedge and Lando.

During this time, Ackbar ordered the remaining Rebel ships to concentrate their firepower on the Executor. A MC80 destroyed an Imperial Star Destroyer flanking the Executor. The blast took down the Executor’s shields in that area exposing it to two A-Wings who fired 10 concussion missiles and destroyed one of the shield generator domes. The shields on the bridge dropped and Piett ordered the ship to intensify forward firepower to protect the exposed bridge. On an attack run an X-Wing was destroyed and and A-Wing, piloted by Arvel Crynyd, was hit. The A-Wing crashed into the bridge, destroying it. The Executor, crippled, was caught in the gravity of the Second Death Star and collided with it, destroying the ship and severely damaging the surface of the superstructure. The explosion, however, destroyed 10 Rebel fighters, 2 cruisers, and 1 ordinance vessel. The Mon Calamari cruisers began to bombard the superstructure while the fighters still dealt with the TIEs. Many A-Wings and B-Wings were destroyed, but Red Group managed to hold together well, while taking out significant numbers of enemy fighters.

Wedge and Lando made it to the reactor core with about 30 seconds left until the superlaser could fire at Endor. Wedge fired two proton torpedoes at the power regulator, and three seconds later Lando fired four concussion missiles at the main reactor, causing it to collapse upon itself and explode. One TIE Interceptor was destroyed in the explosion while the other three ships raced to the surface with the flaming fire ball consuming the battle station, racing behind them. The TIE Interceptor was consumed in the flames, but both Wedge and Lando made it out. Luke managed to steal a Lambda-class shuttle and leave the battle station in time.

For nearly four hours after the destruction of the Second Death Star the battle still continued. The blast caused ship-to-ship communications to be almost impossible. This was a hindrance to the Imperials, who prized themselves on excellent communication. Several Star Destroyers were destroyed and Captain Gilad Pellaeon managed to hold the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Chimaera together after its captain was killed. The Rebels managed to break through the blockade and turn it into many, small engagements.

Han came up with the idea to use the shuttle Tyderium to capture an Imperial Star Destroyer. He dressed in an Imperial general’s uniform while the commandos wore stormtrooper armor. They said that they had escaped the Second Death Star and wished to come aboard the Accuser. When they made their way to the bridge, Han took out the captain while the commandos took out the rest of the bridge crew. Han then ordered the remaining crew to abandon ship because the hull was breached. The ship was captured almost completely operational.

The Star Destroyer Adjudicator was also captured, but it was crippled and required several cruisers to tow it to a Rebel-friendly port. The Star Destroyer Pulsar surrendered to the Rebels, but a few troops managed to capture a Rebel transport and escape. To prevent anymore vessels being taken over by Rebels, Captain Pellaeon took control and ordered a retreat.

Lieutenant Dair Coladel detected an energy spike on the far side of Endor. The Modified Lantillian Short Hauler The Star-Beast, with six rebels, was sent to investigate. They destroyed the secret Imperial HoloNet before it could finish contacting the Imperial fleet to give orders to regroup. Five Imperial Spacetroopers had stowed away onboard a stolen Star Destroyer and attacked the Medical Frigate Mercy. One A-Wing was destroyed, and one Y-Wing was damaged in the skirmish. The Imperials conducted probing strikes against the Rebels during this time. The Star Destroyer Unrepentant came in and launched probe droids to the system, leaving before it could be engaged. The probe droids were destroyed with minimal damage to Rebel ships.

Later, a second wave of probe droids was sent, except they were programmed to ram enemy vessels instead of scanning the Rebel fleet. Several fighters were destroyed and MC80 Reef Home was sent to destroy the remaining droids. The Imperial system patrol craft Daggerblade attacked the CR90 Corellian Corvette Old Republic, destroying it and fleeing before Rebel reinforcements could arrive. The probe droids brought back minimal information to the regrouping force at Cannij Barr.

On Endor, the remaining 20 stormtroopers formed two groups, Aurek and Besh. They found scout trooper squad Explorer Squad ESK-23. They planned to hunt down Ewoks for their role in the battle. They found a secret entrance to an Ewok villiage and entered. Little did they know that Rebel troops were in the area and were killed before they could inflict any damage.

This was the last major battle of the Galactic Civil War. The tide had turned, and now the Rebels had control of most of the universe. Eventually, they would rebuild themselves and become the New Republic.

For a listing of every ship and person that participated, survived, and was killed/destroyed in the battle, please visit http://members.tripod.com/Tiger887/Battles/BEndor.html

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Battle Of Endor (2004).