 Star Wars Battle Analysis-Hoth
Here's the Battle of Hoth Analysis (ESB)
Hoth
Conflict: Galactic Civil War
Date: 3 ABY
Place: The Northern Hemisphere of Hoth VI in the Ison Corridor
Name: Battle of Hoth
Type: Delaying Action for the Rebels
Force Making Attack: Galactic Empire
Opposition: Rebel Alliance
Commanders
Galactic Empire:
Darth Vader
Grand General Brashin
Brenn Tantor (commanded General Veers and all other ground forces)
Admiral Piett (Imperial Fleet and blockade)
General Veers (Imperial Ground Assault)
Rebel Alliance:
General Rieekan (Hoth fleet and Ground forces and Evacuation)
Leia Organa (Hoth Evacuation)
Luke Skywalker (Rogue Squadron)
Wedge Antilles (Rogue Squadron after Luke Skywalker shot down)
Imperial Strength
Imperial Death Squadron, with full compliment
1 Executor-class Star Commandship
7 Imperator-I Destroyers
Defender
Devastator
Accuser
Conquest
Thunderflare
Stalker
Adjudicator
4 Imperator-II Destroyers
Avenger
Tyrant
Corruptor
Vengeance
One Victory-class Destroyer Firewind?
Imperial Ground Forces:
Blizzard Force
At least one Y-85 Titan dropship
At least 3 AT-AT barges
12+ AT-ATs
24+ AT-STs
At least 480 snowtroopers (from the 501st legion)
At least 60 E-webs
:Landing Force
TIE Fighter wings
TIE Interceptor squadrons
TIE Bomber squadrons
Many Sentinel landing craft
Many AT-STs
Many snowtroopers
Many E-webs
Alliance Base
2 (3?) KDY-150 Ion Cannons
1 Shutter shield Generator
Anti-infantry guns (DF.9) Clone Wars era
Anti-armor guns (Atgar 1.4 FD P-Towers) Clone Wars era
Hover Tanks
Attack Tanks
Heavy Attack Tanks (converted Juggernauts)
Alliance Artillery.
Repeating blasters
Many X-wing squadrons
Many Y-wing squadrons
At least 12 snow speeders
Many GR-75 Rebel Medium Transports
Several Corellian Transports of various models
Thousands of non-combat personnel
At least 7,500 Rebel Combat personnel
At least 350 Physicians and Surgeons
Backup Rebel Pilots
Imperial Objectives
Primary:
Capture Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Alliance High Command members
Capture or kill as many other rebels as possible
Prevent Rebels from escaping the Hoth System
Destroy Echo Base
Backup
Destroy the Shield Generator
Destroy the Ion Cannons
Penetrate Rebel Ground Defenses
Land additional forces to overrun the base
Rebel Objectives
Primary:
Escape the Hoth system with as many Rebels as possible
High Command must escape
Evacuate the Alliance transports
Secondary:
Protect the shield generator
Protect the Ion Cannons
Protect the loading areas
Protect transports in flight
Slow down and destroy as much of the Imperial Army as possible
Rebs. The Alliance had to defend their base ,its� defenses and escaping transports for as long as possible to allow the as many Rebel forces to escape the system.
Imps: The Empire wanted to blockade the system, then bombard the base into oblivion using a clean bombardment while intercepting and capturing or destroying any escaping Rebels. This was impossible, the Rebels raised a shield that would make bombardment hard to be accurate and Vader wanted Skywalker alive.
After the battle of Yavin, the Empire, led by Darth Vader created thousands of inexpensive Probe druids by Arakyd, inc. Darth Vader personally oversaw the research.
The Large amount of meteorites hitting Hoth from the nearby asteroid field makes it harder to spot approaching ships, they can hide by the meteorites of pose as meteorites.
Rebel Forces on Echo Base are organized enough to �check in� to the base and �check out� when leaving the base. It must be a big base, then if that is necessary of this applies to all Rebel Bases, especially bases located in normally inhospitable areas, like the Ice planet Hoth.
After landing on Hoth, the Probot detected a faint comm signal on non-Imperial bandwidths, indicating the presence of an unregistered, and possible Rebel settlement. Since it had not gathered enough conclusive evidence to report, the Probot moved away from the nearby signal to avoid contact until such time as self-preservation was no longer necessary. The Probot vectored in on the detected signal's probable destination point, triangulating from its last known position.
As soon as discovering a settlement (like a power generator and a squadron of snowspeeders) a probe druid�s programming has it begin immediate analysis and audio-visual recording of the contact. Then the droid is supposed to transmit its data to the Executor, or is it recorded then sent immediately to the Executor. If it is sent straight to the Executor, like a live-time hologram, there could be problems with transmitting, the antenna seems small, but the technology must be good to travel thorough space near-instantaneously. It seems as the probot uses a �broad-spectrum signal� across imperial codes. That explains how they transmitted, they would not know where the Star Destroyer would be, so that is it. The next thing in the programming is to observing troop movements and positions. It also mapped out the Echo Base defenses, including surface trenches, artillery emplacements and the size, model and location of the v-150 Ion Cannons, etc.
The data recorded by the Probot was very valuable to General Veers and his commanders, as it allowed Imperial Forces to prepare for the battle. However, other probots were launched, so that wasn�t so good, as they still had to find out the Ion Cannon (again?) and shield generators. ColonelFirest altered the plans slightly, so that must be why.
A Death Mark is not an easy thing to live with, hence the name �death mark�
The Base�s reactors were one kilometer (0.6 miles) below the ground as well as the reactors. That explains how the various reactors thermal and electromagnetic radiations were hidden and safely dispersed to prevent detection from space. The energy absorbed from orbital bombardments would be dumped directly into the planet.
Probots have "sabotage and disruption" programming, after discovering Rebel Bases. Wouldn�t they be easily destroyed, but it is sabotage, maybe some of the guns would be sabotaged, etc. Rebels are often trained to capture and disable, instead of destroying to get intelligence or use the enemy information. Captain Solo and Chewbacca can confuse probe droids, decoying it. They tried to disable its motor functions. However, the droid's override programming activated and it immediately self-destructed. The droid's self-destruct programming must have been somewhat affected by either the frigid temperatures or damaged when the droid arrived on Hoth. Due to this, the Probe Droid was not entirely destroyed and thus Lieutenant Voren Na'al and Rebel base technicians were able to piece together some of the droid's memory circuits, and learned some of the droid's experiences.
It took 18 months to build/tunnel/excavate Echo Base out of the ice. Hoth would become the site of one of the largest underground Rebel bases ever constructed. By the time of the Battle, the base was occupied for a month, so Rieekan�s order to Evacuate was even harder on everyone. That also explains why there were problems converting the Airspeeders to Snowspeeders (the Snowspeeders were ready the morning the base was discovered by the probot.)
The Alliance Base is on the northern edge of the habitable zone of Hoth. The Alliance base used a theater shield, not covering the Entire Planet, just the base. The shield coverage area is around 40 kilometers. The Radius is 20 km, so the Alliance base is around 20 km long, if the Rebellion Era sourcebook is right. That means hundreds of thousands of Rebels can be stationed on Echo Base, the Executor is 17.6 km long and less than one kilometer thick. The Executor crew is at least 200,000 and 38,000 stormtroopers, the Alliance base should have more forces and equipment. The medium transports are 90 meters. Due to my bad math skills, I will not calculate further. This should be enough to show that there were a lot of transports in Echo Base.
However, Complete Locations says that Echo Base has 7,500 combat personnel. That, however is combat personnel, ex. Pilots, Soldiers, Gunners, Officers, etc. There are the other non-combat people, like Civilian advisors, Officers not stationed in Combat Areas and aboard Transports, Ship Crews, Civilian Rebels, etc. The Base has at least 350 Physicians and Surgeons, 120 droids and one Medical Command Officer. Each Barrack can house 12 people. The base is then around 10 km from the north to the south entrance of the base.
The barracks on the base are warmer, with heaters, etc for bunks (I�ll be fuckin pissed if I�ll have to sleep in my coat, or can�t take a bath, due to it being so cold) the source is Complete Locations. High-ranking Rebel Personnel had their own bunks (destroying a 160km battle station without your targeting computer killinbg millions of imperials, surviving a confrontation(s) with Darth Vader and you were the son of Anakin Skywalker, as important person in the Clone Wars plus other things you did, you�ll get some perks)
The Rebel Fleet did not have any major facilities on Echo Base, it was scattered thorough the Outer Rim and had other bases, like the Calamari Shipyards, the Airam Shipyards (after Hoth), deep-space docks and more.
At least one Hoth KDY-150 Ion Cannon was brought using credits supplied from the Circarpous underground. These credits also did good to strengthen their military forces, probably allowing them to buy so many Gallofree Medium Transports which the Rebels liked so much. Another was stolen from the Imperials
The Rebels had problems adjusting to the extreme cold, like Airspeeders freezing up until they were converted to Snowspeeders. They were being converted, and by the Battle of Hoth, at least 12 were converted. The Alliance equipment might�ve melted some of the ice, like when the X-wing engines launched. Maybe they were towed out and fired the engines when outside, or repulsors were used. Did the R2 units freeze up also, as well as the X-wings? The Alliance equipment used to repair the Millennium Falcon, the X-wings and the T-47s could melt the ice.
Rebel soldiers are trained in hand signals. A left hand up means �silence�. Is this the mysterious �common sense� people talk about? WTF!!1!111?
It seems that most of the Hoth X-wings did not have scorch marks, showing they were new (bought after Yavin) or didn�t see much combat use. Maybe they were re-fitted and re-paired after Yavin.
It seems to take a long time to repair the Millennium Falcon, or they started to do it later. They had a lot of problems, due to the out-dated Alliance tools, that there was only 2 people repairing, and/or they were smugglers so they probably jury-rigged their equipment. Even when it was repaired, it still was hard to activate the equipment.
Another source says the shield defending the base could deflect �any bombardment� The shield was a special type, designed by Scientists on Ralltiir.
There are enough Probe Droids to seed the outer regions of the Galaxy, showing the Empire�s resources, the inexpensiveness of Probe Droids and the desire to destroy the Rebellion by the Empire. They are decently effective against the enemy, but can be destroyed by a single shot if the probot is unshielded.
The Rebel forces on Hoth made �every attempt� to keep their base secret, minimizing the amount of ship arrivals and departures, mainly the supply transports. The Empire still found out about it because of the probe droids Vader used. This could explain why it is dangerous for ships to leave the area until the shield is raised.
Several bases other than Hoth were excavated on different worlds, maybe those were also used but not as major bases. Mon Mothma wasn�t on Hoth, maybe she couldn�t really deal with the cold of was busy working with the Rebel Fleets, getting more planets to join, etc.
Probe Droids can change their blaster settings, and have shields. They are also programmed to shut down in bad weather conditions, have heat sensors and naturally look for living things. Their laser cannons can create a small crater in snow at maximum firepower. At lower settings, they have problem piercing the ice.
The Probe Droids are jettisoned from a Star Destroyer, then use jets to go on their way. Do they enter hyperspace, or does the Star Destroyer get decently close to the system to deploy the probots. The probots tane to be able to land decently close to energy, maybe they makes them more effective on scanning planets. Are more druids deployed than one per planet?
Headquarters High-ranking personnel are called together whenever something important happens, is detected (like a probe droid) etc.
Women are willing to do weird things just to get back at people, then again many humans are. Ahh, revenge?
The Large amounts of uncharted settlements created many �false alarms� for the Imperials and often made the Empire think about going to that system with a fleet, because of the problems.
Rebel Soldiers or scouts carry transmitters in their uniforms or are able to be found by metal or their body heat. This is good to find and rescue lost scouts.
Echo Base�s doors are described as �shield doors� Are they shielded somehow, with the shields inside of the metal? Compete Locations says that this also helps to shelter the base from the storms, which often happens during the night. Maybe that was why the doors had to be closed. In Battlefront II, certain sections of a base are walled off with energy shields, maybe. Do these shields interfere with the large theater shield? The shield in battlefront II was only seen up after the main shield generator was destroyed. The doors are at least armored, and are there to protect the base form the winds, which would disrupt the hangar functions. The bottom track for the sliding door needs lube constantly, but wouldn�t the lube freeze? Maybe not, it would stay as a liquid.
Due to the energy demands of Hoth Base, the heavy-duty power generators needed were too large and too thermally-intensive to safely and quickly be built into the underground base and because of that they had to be constructed just outside the base, near the mountain in which Echo Base was concealed.
Rieekan was an Alderaanian, and witnessed his homeworld�s destruction, when he was orbiting Delaya, Alderaan�s sisterworld working on satellites. He, remembering that Alderaan was destroyed, ordered an immediate evacuation. That was worse, as the base was recently finished, only for one month and the Snowspeeders were only ready for a week. Colonel Ledick Firest was ordered to carry out �Evac Rearguard Action 101�. That was part of Rieekan�s plan, hold off the Imperials until the Rebels escaped.
The Rebels realized that the Imperials would attack the power generator first, in order to drop the shield protecting Echo Base to allow Orbital bombardment and other landings. The Imperial Probe Droid already had gathered a good deal of data about the base before the Rebels destroyed it, meaning the Probe Droids, like other droids are remarkably efficient. Colonel Firest would alter the Rebel defenses just enough to lead the Imperial Forces where he wanted them to advance, while at the same time making it appear that the Rebel defenses were the same way as they appeared in the Probot's transmissions.
He would make it seem that it was the power generator the Rebels were trying to protect, not relatively vulnerable evacuation staging area where the Rebel transports and their fighter escorts were to lift off from. Following this plan, a relatively lightly defended path that led straight to the generator was created. The forces who would contribute the most for the defense are the Snowspeeders, as that gives them air superiority. They had been in running condition for less than a week when they took part in the Battle of Hoth. All of the Rebels' concentrated defenses would keep Imperial Forces from deviating toward the evacuation staging area. If it was not for Colonel Firest, Rebel losses would undoubtedly be much higher
The Imperial fleet exited too close to the system, the Alliance could detect the Imperial Fleet and raise the shield, preventing a simple bombardment
Ample cover could have been provided by the asteroid field in the outer regions of the Hoth System beyond the sixth planet�s orbit. However, that asteroid field is thick. If it came out of hyperspace there, the fleet might�ve been destroyed, as the shields normally aren�t up when coming out of hyperspace. The Imperials expected the Rebels to not have a orbiting fleet, but maybe the Imperial forces would raise them. Did they know about the asteroids, or did it form after the last scouting (possibly named 1,000 years ago, after the Seventh Battle of Ruusan) so that could be it. Would the fleet still be detected, there are the drive trails. Then there seems to be a big distance from the asteroid field and Hoth, so would the fleet still be detected? Maybe the ships can bombard from that distance. The Asteroid field was a planet that broke apart millennia ago. Did the 6th planet freeze over less than 1,000 years ago? Likely. Was there a gas giant out here that destroyed the planet when it passed its roche limit, forming the asteroid field?
The Imperial Fleet quickly deployed a siege orbit over Hoth, forcing Star Destroyers to rush to their assigned positions, while at the same time not allowing proper fighter escort deployment. They also struck quickly, not giving enough time to reinforce their supply fleets and repair the ISD-II Corrupter. If they did, many Rebels would escape, likely all of the Rebel Forces but what about Transport evacuation?)
When the Imperials find Rebels or other things of interest, do they first send Scout Ships, before sending the Star Destroyers of do they immediately jump toward the battle (as what happened here) The Rebels could escape if the Imperials first sent Scout Ships in these situations because that would be a warning of a stronger Imperial presence but the evacuation time would be different. (if they didn�t already know). However, if they attack with their fleets first, the supply lines would be vulnerable to attack, being stretched more with a lack of escort vessels (like Nebulon-B frigates, etc.) and some transports would not be aware of the course changes, leaving them also exposed to attack and theft.
Darth Vader seems to Hate Admiral Ozzel, and was looking for an excuse to kill him. He considered him to be �as clumsy as he is stupid�. Vader says that Admiral Ozzel dropped out of light speed too close to the system, allowing the Rebels to raise their energy shield.
Some Imperial Warships had time to deploy fighters, many did not, believing that Imperial Forces so badly outclassed and out-classed the Rebels that there was no need for fighter support.
Star Destroyers have a bombing range of thousands of miles but the KDY-150s also can. Accuracy might not be as good for the Ion Cannon, though
Vader had to order General Veers to deploy Blizzard force outside the shield and march through the shield and destroy the Generator because Admiral Ozzel exited hyperspace with his fleet too close to the system, allowing for Imperial air support and a landing.
Com-Scan must be a sensor or shield scan, and it can detect shield strength. Did the Imperials find out that it could deflect bombardment the hard way (by trying it for a few hours and giving up) or di they detect the strength using Com-Scan.
General Rieekan ordered his troops to prepare for a �Ground Assault� of some type, knowing the Empire would deploy Ground troops to take down the shields as soon as possible.
An advance task force lands outside of the shield. It probably landed using Landing craft. It advances thorough Rebel Defenses, clearing them out forcing the Alliance to retreat, etc until attacking and destroying some Rebel Airbases (after they were mainly evacuated)
General Veers and his forces then deployed to meet up with the advance force. Titan Y-85 dropships and at least 4 AT-AT barges and Sentinel Landing Craft deployed Blizzard Force and the 501st legion. They had to deal with Alliance defenses, like the Attack Tanks sniping from a distance and guns. They destroyed the guns and possibly some tanks and continued to advance thorough the Glaciers south.
The Y-85s were built by Incom, which gave the Rebels the X-wing. They carry 4 AT-ATs and 4 AT-STs. Tare these the �AT-AT barges� seen in Force Commander? Maybe. However, the AT-AT barges can only carry 2 AT-ATs or 6 AT-STs. They landed and marched towards Echo Base. The Imperators and Victories use smaller similar-shaped barges that carry 1 Walker, while the multi-kilometer warships use the Y-85s.
Corporal Kelsome underestimated the speed of the approaching AT-AT. That is interesting, at maximum speed it can go vary fast (they went slow because they didn�t want to trip on the ice and some modifications for the cold. He and his tauntaun mount were crushed under its foot pad before the Rebels fired a single shot in the Battle of Hoth.
It seems that Imperial forces sent in waves, first AT-STs and such, then the later waves had AT-ATs includes, as well as AT-STs in larger numbers.
The AT-ATs were seen leaving fog. They were on the North Ridge, but was the fog outside of the perimeter an effect of the shield, with the shield warming the air? Had the shield been down, would the ice plains be foggy, also?
Echo station 3-T-8 first sighted the AT-ATs on the north ridge. However, Luke Skywalker responded to Echo Station 5-7, saying they were coming to assist. Why were the snowspeeders used? They did provide a advantage, could go past the enemy vanguard to wreak havoc, could attempt to destroy any landing craft, etc.
Did the 501st Legion attack Echo Station 3-T-8? Battlefront II shows the Empire attacking a small rebel trench with a few guns and easily taking that area. That may be why Rogue Squadron responded to Echo Station 5-7
After that, a bunker still some distance from the main base but close to the Shield Generator was attacked and taken. This took some time, but the AT-ATs provided the advantage to take the base easily, as before.
Outpost Beta had one Ion Cannon, and was attacked by AT-STs and snow troopers. Most of the guns defending the Ion Cannon were destroyed, but the Cannon survived. The Alliance troops not in the guns retreated.
The Imperials deploy more Probe Droids, surprisingly. They scout the mountains, and are often destroyed easily by Rogue Squadron and the Rebel guns.
Rogue Squadron first defended Outpost Beta, attacking the AT-STs while the perimeter defensive guns held off the snow troopers. It seems as the snow troopers were able to duck under the Alliance guns, but many still died once their AT-ST support was taken down. At least 3 E-webs, however were present and were able to cover the other Snowtroopers. The Rebels also had some E-webs defending their positions.
Outpost Beta is outside of the shield. Why didn�t the ISDs bombard that area? If they did get close and try to, could the Ion Cannon shoot them down before they got a good shot at the area? Was the shield close enough to the Outpost that the Imperials didn�t know that area was unprotected.
AT-ATs can easily hit and shoot down Snowspeeders, showing either the capabilities of AT-ATs or of the Skill of General Veers� Blizzard Force. Could the Clone-Wars AT-ATs do this as easily? It is unknown, as Veers updated the design on Zaloriis and we don�t see AT-ATs from then attack aircraft.
Snowspeeders can go up at up to a 45* angle and can fly up to 250 meters above a planet�s surface using their repulsorlifts. This shows that snowspeeders are very agile, even with their heavy armor on. After 250 meters in the air, the repulsors have no gravity to push against
It seems that the Anti-Vehicle turrets can be modified to fire quick blasts like the Anti-infantry guns and that AT-STs can destroy a KDY-150 Ion Cannon in a few minutes unsupported. Snowspeeders, however can destroy AT-STs in a few head shots, but it often takes more hits to take them down. Even AT-ST fire can hurt Snowspeeders.
Blizzard Force�s AT-ATs could easily hold off laser attacks from snowspeeders and gun emplacements. The lasers were easily absorbed, or reflected by the AT-AT armor, AT-STs were easier to be destroyed, and Snowspeeders likely took some out. Concentrated attack on the neck section of an AT-AT can de-capitate it. Several snowspeeders tried this on advancing and toppled AT-ATs. The AT-ATs are also effective against enemy snowspeeders, easily shooting them out of the sky with their swiveling heads with the guns.
Do AT-ATs (at least Blizzard Force�s) have shields? The turret lasers that hit the armor either bounces off the AT-AT or is absorbed by the walker. However, AT-STs can be easily disabled by the Anti-vehicle weapons
Why weren�t X-wings used to attack the AT-ATs? They could destroy the AT-ATs with their proton torpedoes, then return back to the base to escort the Transports. They could also go higher up and attack than the Snowspeeders. They were probably busy dealing with the TIEs and the X-wings would be recalled (like with the Otana) Maybe the torpedoes would damage the base too much (if it remember, simply the movement of AT-ATs shook the base, as it was dug into the ice) Maybe the Empire would easily destroy the X-wings as easy, and if the Empire was beaten, more would come (but a delaying action would still happen and the fighters and transports can flee in one massive swarm to distract the enemy. Add Ion Cannon support and it is made better and less ships would be captured and/or destroyed.
AT-ATs can easily be tipped over by Alliance snowspeeder tow cables, which were quickly used when Blasters weren�t used. AT-ATs can also be sabotaged easily by bombs placed inside the main body. That is why 480 snow troopers were also carried., 40 in each AT-AT.
When an AT-AT collapsed, troops were sent to the AT-AT and some went in. However, a Rogue Squadron pilot blew up the AT-AT by shooting the exposed neck, shrapnel killed some Rebels. However, the novelization says that they only were blown down.
The AT-AT can be de-capitated while still standing up, according to the Sega Star Wars trilogy arcade. Thie was able to happen several times to AT-ATs. Maybe it was hard to get the neck exposed because of the moving head trying to shoot the Snowspeeders, but it was able to be dome at least once. They called this �Attack Pattern Delta� but the �Attack Pattern Delta� is to focus on the leg joints or to attack from the air.
Now, the Empire�s AT-ATs get close to an Alliance outpost defending the shield generator. They attack some of the base, destroying some above-ground structures as they advance towards the Shield Generator. The Imperial AT-ATs have a somewhat hard time advancing with the resistance currently from the Rebel Tanks, defenses, and structures in the outposts as well as snow speeders flying around tripping the Walkers. The Imperials advance on. destroying the above-ground defenses and forcing the opposition to retreat constantly. Rebel defenses managed to take down several waves of Snowtroopers before being overrun by AT-ATs
Some Rebel troops were brave enough to charge forward, towards toppled Imperial walkers, in the hopes of gaining cover from them, while attempting to sabotage nearby armored units. That likely took down other AT-ATs and AT-STs
Only 2 fighters could escort each Transport, sometimes the fighters were re-called when the transports or freighters were far enough out.
It seems as the Rebels on Hoth had to charge up their Ion Cannon. That could refer to the extreme cold Hoth endured, or that the Reactor fuel was low (the base power reactors were stolen/salvaged from a Praetor-class star battle cruiser, cheap bastards.) Rebels didn�t have much supplies) or that the Base Reactor couldn�t work for long, being scavenged from a derelict (and probably abandoned since Clone Wars) ship. The Ion Cannon�s reactor is 40 meters below the ground.
The Ion Cannon can fire on volley every 6 seconds, and is slow to rotate. This could be an older model, but some sources say that this is new. Didn�t the Empire (or Kuat itself) check on which governments Kuat sells its� guns to, or was it while dissembled in transport stolen from the Empire. They used his also because its� permacite shell provides insulation against the extreme cold.
Leia called the Gallofree GR-75 Medium Transports �Heavy Transports� or was she referring to any heavy transports on Hoth. It is possible, there were probably more ships on Echo Base, Y-wings weren�t shown in the movies but were there, etc.
The GR-75 Medium Transports are modified to have more engines than GR-45 Transports for increased power and speed with running Imperial Blockades. Were some of these transports mainly fitted with crew and passenger modules, the ones with a higher chance of survival, like the first transport to escape, Quantum Storm. Were they equally distributed between the Rebel transports, as the destruction of one ship filled with personnel would hurt the Rebels badly? Many of the non-combat personnel escaped on this first transport, Quantum Storm.
The KDY-150 Ion Cannons are controlled by the base, but they also have their own fire control and targeting room. Part of the Crew is targeting specialists who use information taken from sensors and electrotelescopes. Most of the 27 crew were from Alderaan. Were they not ready to kill, but determined to get back to the Empire or keep other planets from suffering their home world�s fate (being blown to bits by the Death Star�s superlaser or destroyed, depopulated, devastated, etc.) that they would use an Ion Cannon, which disables rather than destroys its targets? They would do that due to Alderaan�s pacifism, and killing people probably wouldn�t go well with them.
The energy, other than coming from a reactor 40 meters below the ground also is powered by a power generator with targeting computers 1 kilometer below the ground. It seems as one kilometer below the ground, there is still ice. Interesting, as Echo Base has rock close to the bottom of the base, and even has rock sticking out in the Medium Transport hangar.
There are some openings in the permacite shield. This is for cooling, but can these chambers be closed to prevent enemy fire from penetrating, the cooling chambers allow for enemy infiltration and/or attack due to no protection.
The KDY-150 Ion cannons disabled at least 3 Imperator-class Star Destroyers, the Avenger, the Corrupter and the Tyrant.
KDY-150s can easily take down (as in disable most components) Imperators, and they are available to guerillas (alternatively, they could�ve been supplied by a friendly planetary government. They are also designed to work in conjunction with shields, firing when the shield fails. The Circarpous underground provided credits for at least one Ion Cannon) However, the beam can miss, especially in a higher orbit. They can at least disrupt the control systems and engines, as well as weakening the shields. One was stolen.
Other than the long activation/charge up time, KDY-150s also move slowly to get new targets, taking minutes to lock onto a stationary object, not to mention moving objects. It is also mobile, so enemy forces can bombard the gun or ground forces (like the AT-STs) can attack it easy.
KDY-150 Ion cannons fired 4 shots in 2 groups for complete disabling. Less shots wouldn�t disable an ISD as much.
As soon as the Rebel Transports leave the shield, the ISDs move to intercept. It was closer and easier to hit the ISD
The Ion Cannons seemed to be very close to the Transport launch zone and base, as close as possible
When the Ion Cannon fired, that might�ve showed their positions, but there were 2 of them, it might be harder for the Imperial Fleet to re-position safely and still hit escaping transports
The first transport left after the Blockade formed. At least some Rebels were surprised, like the YT-2000 Otana piloted by Tomaas and Galin Azzameen.
The Imperial Fleet exited hyperspace in �Sector 4� Was this the area of space near the Hoth System, it was likely in the range of the base�s sensors. The areas not detectable probably aren�t given designations, but maybe they might.
It seems as the ISD II Tyrant deployed drop ships beyond the Rebels' energy shield, on the vast glacier field north of Echo Base. However, the Y-85s (and the others) were likely deployed from the Executor, as the Tyrant couldn�t carry the Y-85s (not enough hanger room)
The ISD II Tyrant also blocked the first Rebel transport's escape path, the Medium Transport Quantum Storm, and it was that was the first ship hit by the Rebels' KDY-150 Ion Cannon, which disabled it. The transport was also called �Three Zone� according to the Novelization.
An ISD-II can be easily shot out of action by a KDY-150 Ion Cannon. This could affirm that the Star Destroyers are only Destroyers, as their name says or that by Hoth the Alliance had acquired equipment that can deal with Imperators in combat.
The Executor, however had shielding equivalent to a medium-sized star, and could be considered �unassailable� by only on KDY-150 Ion Cannon. It is also larger, having more systems, and has thicker armor.
The shield was opened for a few seconds when, launching fighters, to prevent a quick Imperial response. The escorts were told to stay close to the transport, so the shield opening must be very small
Escorts likely defended Transports from TIEs during the evacuation in space, TIEs didn�t enter the atmosphere. The TIEs were probably in a screen, and the Transports could quickly get through with few fighters attacking.
Transports were in the base, then moved out to pick up straggling troops and meet up with fighters. Fighters were also moved out to the South Side
There weren�t a lot of fighter craft to attack AT-ATs probably, that�s why Snowspeeders were used. However, there were �wings� so that probably isn�t true. Snowspeeders were the cheapest thing to be used.
One transport was launched at a time, later when time was running out, 2 transports were launched at a time showing the Desperation by the Alliance and the loss of time. It also made it harder for the Imperial Fleet to attack and destroy the transports, but it also made it harder to Rebel Ships to be protected and covered. It is likely that when 2 transports were launched at once, they left on different vectors.
17 Rebel ships were destroyed. That could mean fighters, also. Only �ships� not �transports� Most Alliance transports escaped.
Corellian Transports were based in the Hangar, at least 3 of them, They could be used to help distract the Imperials, evacuate small squads or escort some larger transports.
General Veers ordered �All Troops to prepare for Ground Assault� meaning not all of the troops in the AT-ATs were deployed but they were in reserve. Did the Alliance lose all of their main guns, of were the guns distracted by the AT-Sts making it safe for them to leave. Was it safer to deploy them then when Veers noticed the AT-ATs could be tripped and charged? However, Veers spaced his walkers so each walker covered another Walker, so the Rebels would have a harder time. Had they attacked the rear units, it would take too long.
Ground forces defending Echo Base took heavy losses against AT-ATs, many troops killed, due to the lack of cover and the superiority of AT-ATs, AT-STs against Clone Wars-era turrets and often lightly-armed Alliance troops with no tank cover. Had the Rebels sent Hover and Attack Tanks to defend the trenches, rather than snipe from a distance as they did at the AT-ATs with their proton launchers the Rebels could�ve won. It also seems as the Rebels were caught-off guard with an early attack and had tanks as well and artillery but they mainly were in the base and outposts, not in the trenches, but their ground troops kept moving to stay alive. Most of their heavy equipment escaped. Crix Madine released a report on repulsortank battle tactics to the Rebels, allowing the Rebels to use their shielded tanks better in combat so the next time a ground battle like Hoth happens, it won�t be so devastating to the Rebel Forces
Echo Base was designed to be abandoned. That is the reason why Ion Cannons and planetary shields were installed.
Turrets took heavy damage, they were exposed. The trench provided decent protection from laser fire, as long as you stayed in the trench and didn�t get out to shoot the enemy.
When most transports escaped and Imperial troops entered the base, the evacuation order was given. Many troops were moved to the South Side to protect the fightercraft and get picked up by Alliance Transports leaving. Many Rebel troops made it to the last transports, others were left behind and surrendered. Eventually, they escaped or were freed by Rogue Squadron and other Rebels.
General Veers is now able to destroy the Shield Generator. He fires his guns at �maximum firepower� which destroys the generator. After this, Rieekan orders any other Rebels who didn�t retreat earlier to retreat, using the code �K-1-0� this is followed by �All troops disengage. Fall Back!!!� Another evacuation signal was �Code One Five� (1-5) for the Snowspeeders when the evacuation was complete and when their X-wings.
I wonder, how did they know the pilots would survive, yes they were Rogue Squadron, but would other Rebel pilots take the X-wings? There were extra pilots as backup, at the base. Thankfully, at least 6 Rogue Squadron Snowspeeders survived, which had 2 people as crews. The Gunners could pilot the other 6 X-wings.
Wouldn�t it be protected by its own emissions? Maybe not. The shield is invisible, and it doesn�t extend the shield energy to the top, then forming the dome as shown in Episode I and Galactic Battlegrounds. In Episode I, a shield generator active and being protected by its emissions was destroyed by an AAT cannon shot. Interesting�
When the shield generator was destroyed, Imperial landing craft and snowtroopers were deployed. The last 20 transports were attacked by TIE fighters, bombers. Rogue squadron attacked them and allowed Rebel Transports to escape.
Galactic Battlegrounds makes it seem as the Alliance knew where the Imperials would land and placed troops to slow their advance before the Imperials even landed their advance force.
The Rebel crews operating the KDY-150 Ion Cannon were from Alderaan, and they were some of the last to leave and escape from Hoth, likely leaving in the 3 last transports. After ensuring that the KDY-150 Ion Cannon would not fall into Imperial hands by programming their cannon to destroy itself, the Rebels used its powerful detonation to momentarily blind Imperial ground sensors as they and other Rebels made their escape from Hoth.
They also destroyed it to keep the Imperials from shooting their transports with their own weapons, Imperial Troops can and sometimes do commandeer Rebel Cannons. Another reason was probably the Imperials could get intelligence on the status of the Rebellion (like where the Cannon came from, the condition of the cannon (showing Rebel supplies) the amount of fuel (if it is empty, the Rebels are full of Fuel, if full the Rebels couldn�t empty it quickly))
Galactic Battlegrounds, however has the Empire destroy an Ion Cannon with AT-ATs. Based on this and other sources, there is likely at least 2 Ion Cannons, probably 3 Ion Cannons at the base and nearby.
After Luke Skywalker was shot down, he passed over command to Wedge Antilles. Another source says that Rieekan told Antilles to lead the attack. Luke skywalks was able to go forward, extend a pole to the bottom part of an AT-AT, cut a hole in the AT-AT, then place a bomb which had the AT-AT�s head explode, after explosions happened with the leg gears in the body. It them relaxed, then crashed to the left. Rogue Squadron III says that Luke sabotaged 2 AT-ATs.
Rogue Squadron�s X-wing Fighters were moved to the south side with the transports for ease, so Rogue Squadron didn�t have to enter the Base and possibly get captured. This showed that the Command and control stayed throughout the battle.
Once the shield fell, several transports left at once at different escape vectors, creating confusion for the Imperial Fleet as the first wave of TIEs attacked, and Landing craft deployed AT-STs and snowtroopers. Rogue Squadron switched to X-wings and covered those transports.
Echo Base has two southern entrances. The transports are loaded in the hangars, than move out until they are cleared to escape. This also allows them to pick up straggling Rebel Troops. Leia orders all troops to go to Sector 12 to protect the fighter craft. Maybe they are also picked up by the transports once the fighters are deployed.
Transports and fighters were moved outside to pickup Alliance straggler troops. Surprisingly, the Falcon was still in the main hanger. Chewbacca still had to repair it, so it couldn�t be put out. The outside cold and wind might�ve hurt the ship systems more, possibly.
One of the Last Transports to escape was the Bright Hope, but it was also called �C One Seven� (C-1-7) This transport was loaded with hundreds of wounded troopers from the battle. The Dutyfree also escaped around that time. Wedge Antilles (in a X-wing) and Wes Janson (Y-Wing Gunner) and Derek "Hobbie" Klivian (Y-Wing Pilot) escorted this ship out.
An Imperator-class Star Destroyer was blocking their escape path and the Rebel KDY v-150 Ion Cannon wa already destroyed, Commander Wedge Antilles came up with a daring plan to use the "Talon Split" maneuver to escape. The transport hung back, while the X-Wing followed behind the Y-Wing so close that they appeared to be one vessel on sensors. Once the X-Wing and Y-Wing got close enough to the ISD (which was firing its turbolasers at them), the X-Wing cut a 45 degree angle beneath the Y-Wing and destroyed a dome with a quick release of its proton torpedoes. With that, the Rebels passed over the ISD (which is surprised and stopped firing) and along with the Medium Transport Thon's Orchard, they were able to escape the Hoth System.
The AT-ATs reach Echo Base, destroying the above-ground part. The Rebels launch some remaining snowspeeders to slow the destruction and launch the other fighters to evacuate. There is an Alliance wall defending the base entrance also. The Empire also deploys a landing force north of the base with Vader. These forces also destroy the above-ground base.
The 501st Legion then enters the base through a hangar with Vader fighting retreating Rebels, who still have to fight to the (now abandoned) Command Center. They meet up with some other snowtroopers who fought from the other side of the base and advance towards the south side, still occasionally engaging retreating Rebels as they get to their transports. Vader and the 501st destroys a control panel that was shielding the entrance to the transport hangars still somewhat full but being emptied. The Imperials attack, driving the Rebels to a transport. They deploy a homing beacon, which is used to call in a bombardment, destroying the transport.
The idea for a shield blocking an entryway is good, that might�ve been part of Rieekan�s evacuation plan created as soon as Rieekan gained command of the base. They also might�ve installed it quickly. It is weird with the shield touching ice. Would the energy spread through the ice, killing all people close enough and shorting up the base or would the shield even be possible, as there is no metal ring around the opening to project and generate the shields
Why did the Imperials use a homing beacon? The Star Destroyers probably could�ve targeted the transport without a beacon easy, and the 501st deploying a beacon would be an unnecessary risk to the stormtroopers. TIE bombers could be sent in (they were, but weren�t sent here) After the battle, why didn�t the Empire demolish the base? That would keep the Rebels from returning. The Empire did establish a base (or fixed it, etc) that existed up to the Imperial Remnant.
The main Imperial landing force landed when the last 3 transports left (containing General Rieekan and other base command officers), TIE interceptors attacked with Bombers using missiles and fighters, as the south area was safe from Veers� advance. The 3 transports took some damage before leaving orbit. At the bottom, there is no opening for the base. Did these transports rendezvous near some Alliance troops retreating to pick them up and they then left when the TIEs and other Imperial craft arrived?
Vader kills Corporal Jobin after the Falcon�s escape, which surprisingly is Mon Mothma�s son. She has a daughter, but it is unknown what she did. It is weird that Jobin is simply a Corporal, wouldn�t he be with the Rebel Fleet instead, or on Home One as a soldier? Wouldn�t he be higher in rank? Maybe Mothma sent him there, hoping he could be safe there. Vader didn�t know about Jobin�s mother, if he did maybe he would keep him alive for torture.
The Imperial blockade broke up as Imperial ships gave chase to the fleeing Rebel craft, but mainly the Falcon. Many Rebel transports were able to escape due to poor organization of the Imperial Fleet in orbit around Hoth. The fact that the Falcon was wanted badly also distracted many ships from the fleeing Alliance and had them enter an Asteroid field, which damaged the Imperial Fleet more.
Alliance troopers released wampas before escaping, Snowtroopers had to deal with them and they were delayed allowing other Rebels to escape.
Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker escaped, weren�t captured by Vader and most Rebel transports escaped. The Reason most of the Star Destroyers didn�t pursue the fleeing Transports is that Vader wanted Skywalker, and was going to capture the Falcon. Luke Skywalker was the last Rebel to escape.
General Veers was a hero for the Empire, being paraded around the Empire for turning an Imperial Navy blunder for victory for the Imperial Army. He however, had problems, when his son defected to the Rebellion after the battle (your dad is a disciplinarian, and the government he serves allows innocent librarians to be tortured and killed, you will do something about that. Zebulon saved the librarian, and his daughter took him prisoner (okay, not really) and rescued her dad. Zebulon eventually joined the Alliance)
6 members of Rogue Squadron survived Hoth
Besides destroying the KDY-150 Ion Cannon, Rebel operators destroyed all Rebel computer memory systems and electronic control banks to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Empire and saving many other Rebels
Because the Imperial Fleet quickly deployed a siege orbit over Hoth, the Imperials could not deploy their TIEs to blockade the planet. The Rebel Transports escaped with minimal X-wing escort easily because of that. They did not give the time to reinforce their supply fleets and repair the ISD-II Corrupter. That allowed the Rebels to attack some Imperial Convoys after the battle when attempting to escape in order to distract the Imperials� attention from the escaping Rebels (well, the �attention� is only 1 damaged ISD-II w no hyper drive, 1 Bulk Cruiser, 1 Dreadnaught, and several Corellian Corvettes and modified Corvettes, the main Imperial fleet is searching for the Falcon) after the Defiance Task Force.
Many Alliance forces from Echo Base retreated to the Planet Haven. Some other Rebels also retreated to deep space, near the outer rim to meet the Frigate Redemption. That fleet had one Nebulon Frigate, several transports (3-4?) several other transports, like Xizor transports, escorted by fighter craft. Another task force consisted of the CRS defiance, the Nebulon-B Frigate Jericho, 2 Corellian corvettes, a Corellian Gunship, and several transports from Echo Base. Eventually, the Defiance task force escaped to the Outer Rim after destroying the ISD-II Corrupter task force�s probe droids, liberating Echo Base prisoners and destroying a sensor array. Some Rebels, who were wounded make it to a hospital, which is attacked. At least 2/3 of the Rebels from Hoth escape.
The Rebels were forced to leave behind at least some of their Snowspeeders (half of Rogue Squadron was destroyed) which could have seen crucial use at other Rebel bases. Anyway, the Rebel command personnel and most of their equipment made it off of Hoth. For the Rebels it was a successful evacuation. After the Battle of Hoth however, the Rebels suffered from a severe bacta shortage.
Toryn Farr, becoming a Commander led a rescue mission back to Hoth after the battle to rescue any stranded Rebels and any Rebels captured still in the System.
The Defeat at Hoth probably made the Alliance to make a �all or nothing� attack on the Death Star II, which could�ve been the End of the Rebellion, but it wasn�t.
Imperial casualties
2 ISDs disabled, some repairs. Some other ships might�ve been hit
At least 5 AT-ATs
Some snowtroopers
Alliance casualties
17 �starships� most escaped
Heavy infantry losses for forces defending Shield Generator
Some tank losses
Shield Generator
6 snowspeeders
One base lost, trashed
Imperial Objectives Mainly succeeded
Primary Completed:
Capture or kill as many rebels as possible
Trash Echo Base
Backup Completed:
Destroy the Shield Generator
Penetrate Rebel Ground Defenses
Land additional forces to overrun the base
Rebel Objectives mainly succeeded, many losses though
Primary:
As many Rebel Forces as possible escaped the Hoth system
High Command escaped
Alliance transports escaped
Secondary:
Protect the Ion Cannons
Protect the loading areas
Protect transports in flight
Slow down and destroy as much of the AT-ATs as possible
Sources:
Battlefront II
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back movie
TESB novelization
Rogue Squadron II
Rogue Squadron III
Force Commander
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Star Wars Technical Commentaries
Rebellion Era Sourcebook
Battlefront II
The New Essential Chronology
Jedi Academy Trilogy (Dark Apprentice)
Complete Locations
Galactic Empire Databank
Star Wars Wikicities
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2006-01-25, 21:11
