Unidentified droid battalion (Kaller)

In 19 BBY, a droid battalion operated within the Confederacy of Independent Systems' ground forces during the final hours of the Clone Wars. Stationed on the Separatist-besieged planet Kaller, the battalion of B1-series battle droids was engaged by the Galactic Republic clone forces of Jedi General Depa Billaba, pushing Billaba's forces to the breaking point. But as the droids closed in, they were soon out-flanked by Republic reinforcements; the five clone commandos of Clone Force 99, who quickly destroyed the entire battalion, saving Billaba and her clone troopers.

Description

Within the Separatist Droid Army of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and stationed on the planet Kaller, a droid battalion equipped with infantry and armored capabilities was active. Led by an OOM command battle droid, the battalion's infantry was entirely comprised of B1-series battle droids, including at least one AAT Driver Battle Droid, who were armed with E-5 blaster rifles and equipped with Integrated Comms Antennae on their back-mounted comlink booster packs. In terms of armor power, the droid force was also armed with three Armored Assault Tanks, painted beige and green, that were escorted behind the rows of droid foot soldiers.^[1]

History

At some point during the Clone Wars, a galactic civil war fought between the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems, a droid battalion of B1-series battle droids was created as part of the Separatist ground forces.^[1] Later on, in 19 BBY^[3] during the final hours of the conflict, the planet Kaller,^[1] previously liberated by the Republic,^[4] was besieged by the Separatist Alliance in the aftermath of their defeat at the Battle of Coruscant, launched as part of a desperate and brutal counteroffensive by Head of State General Grievous. Bringing the fighting to the planet's snowy regions, the droid battalion became locked in a deadly engagement with the clone trooper battalion of Jedi General Depa Billaba, who were struggling to hold their position as their three All Terrain Tactical Enforcers were destroyed by the three Armored Assault Tanks.^[1]

Requiring reinforcements, the bulk of which had been rerouted to protect the Republic capital^[1] world^[5] of Coruscant, the droid battalion had begun to close in on Billaba's depleted forces, but were soon informed by her Padawan, Jedi Commander Caleb Dume, that five additional troopers were available to reinforce them. Although Clone Captain CC-10/994 "Grey" was unconvinced of their eventual success, the droid battalion was alerted to movement in the forest and turned to face it. Firing upon a large careering boulder that took out an entire row of battle droids, the battalion was soon engaged by the five genetically defective clone commandos of Clone Force 99; Billaba's reinforcements, who quickly^[1] and methodically^[2] exploited and destroyed the entire droid force, as well as sending the three tanks off the cliff. With the droid battalion eliminated, Clone Sergeant "Hunter" of the commando squad recommended that Billaba launch their counterattack as another battalion of battle droids was on the approach.^[1]

Behind the scenes

The battalion made its debut in "Aftermath,"^[1] the premier episode of the Star Wars: The Bad Batch television series' first season, which aired on May 4, 2021 on Disney+.^[6] However, identified as an army in the episode's audio description,^[7] the force was referred to as a battalion in the episode itself,^[1] as well as later on in its corresponding episode guide, which the article assumes to be the correct designation.^[2]

Appearances

• Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Aftermath" (First appearance)

Sources

• "Aftermath" Episode Gallery on StarWars.com (backup link)

Notes and references