Death Squadron
{{Top}} {{Update|[[Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Book VIII: A Rogue's End]], [[From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back]], {{EncyclopediaCite|The Battle of Hoth and the Second Death Star}}, [[Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters]]}} {{Expand|1}} {{Cleanup}} {{Fleet |image=[[File:SW_Executor_01.jpg]] |name=Death Squadron |type=*[[Battle group]]<ref name="BMF 27">{{BuildFalconCite|27|Starship Fact File|Super Star Destroyer–Executor}}</ref> *[[Navy|Naval]] [[squadron]]<ref name="Episode V">{{Film|V}}</ref> |founder= |founded= |fragmented= |reorganized= |dissolved= |restored= |headquarter= |location= |commander=*[[Anakin Skywalker|Darth Vader]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Firmus Piett]]<ref name="Rebel Files">''[[Star Wars: The Rebel Files]]''</ref> *Fleet Admiral<ref name="Imperial Officers and Agents">{{EncyclopediaCite|Imperial Officers and Agents}}</ref> [[Kendal Ozzel]]<ref name="Episode V" /> |officers=*[[Admiral]] [[Jhared Montferrat]]<ref name="BS">{{InsiderCite|issue1=149|issue2=150|Blade Squadron (short story)}}</ref> *[[General]] [[Maximilian Veers]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Commodore]] [[Rae Sloane]]<ref name="LVWSYN">{{StoryCite|story=Lord Vader Will See You Now|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}}</ref> *[[Captain]] [[Canonhaus]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *Captain [[Lennox]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *Captain [[Lorth Needa]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Commander]] [[Gradd]]<ref name="BS" /> *Commander [[Tian Karmiya]]<ref name="Final Order">{{StoryCite|story=The Final Order|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}}</ref> *Commander [[Nemet]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Lieutenant]] [[Cabbel]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *Lieutenant [[Kanna Deltic]]<ref name="LVWSYN" /> |crew=*[[Communications Officer]] [[M'Kae]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *Communications Officer [[Masil Veit]]<ref name="Tooth and Claw">{{StoryCite|story=Tooth and Claw|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back}}</ref> |flagship=''[[Executor]]''<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer">{{SWE|technology|superstardestroyer|Super Star Destroyer}}</ref> |capital=*''[[Avenger]]''<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Conquest (Imperial I-class)|''Conquest'']]<ref name="Odyssey">''[[The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem]]''</ref> *''[[Devastator]]''<ref name="BS" /> *''[[Stalker]]''<ref name="Odyssey" /> *''[[Tyrant]]''<ref name="Episode V" /> *''[[Ultimatum]]''<ref name="Final Order" /> |starfighters=*[[Gradd's squadron]]<ref name="BS" /> *[[Theta Squadron (Galactic Empire)|Theta Squadron]]<ref name="TIE Pilot Survival">{{StoryCite|story=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back|sformatted=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)}}</ref> |ground=*[[1st Legion]]<ref name="Odyssey" /> *[[501st Legion]]<ref name="Twilight">''[[Battlefront: Twilight Company]]''</ref> **[[Blizzard Force]]<ref name="Twilight" /> |naval=[[Executor Command|''Executor'' Command]]<ref name="War 5">[[War of the Bounty Hunters 5|''War of the Bounty Hunters'' 5]]</ref> |campaigns= |battles=*[[Assault on the Mako-Ta Space Docks]]<ref name="Star Wars 50">[[Star Wars (2015) 50|''Star Wars'' (2015) 50]]</ref> *[[Battle of Hoth]]<ref name="Episode V" /> *[[Attack on the Executor|Attack on the ''Executor'']]<ref name="War 5" /> *[[Battle of Endor]]<ref name="Episode VI">{{Film|VI}}</ref> |affiliation=*[[Galactic Empire]]<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer" /> **[[Imperial Navy]]<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer" /> }} {{Quote|Order the fleet to close to a more aggressive range.''"<br />"''We'll be in more danger.''"<br />"''''We'' are the only danger here.|Lord Vader and Admiral Ozzel of the fleet during the assault on the Mako-Ta Space Docks|<ref name="Star Wars (2015) 53">[[Star Wars (2015) 53|''Star Wars'' (2015) 53]]</ref>}} '''Death Squadron''' was a [[Navy|naval]] [[squadron]] of the [[Imperial Navy]] that served as the personal [[Fleet|armada]] of the [[Sith Lord]] [[Anakin Skywalker|Darth Vader]], the right-hand of [[Galactic Emperor]] [[Darth Sidious|Sheev Palpatine]] of the [[Galactic Empire]]. Following the [[Battle of Yavin]], the Death Squadron was led by the [[Executor-class Star Dreadnought|''Executor''-class Star Dreadnought]] ''[[Executor]]'', typically supported by five smaller [[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers]]. One of those support ships was the ''[[Devastator]]'', which had been the [[Lord]] Vader's [[flagship]] before the ''Executor'' and had participated in the [[Secret mission to Tatooine|capture]] of [[Prince]]ss [[Leia Skywalker Organa Solo|Leia Organa]]. ==Description== {{Quote|Deploy the fleet so that nothing gets off the system.|Lord Vader, to Admiral Piett|<ref name="Episode V" />}} [[File:Executor_and_escorts.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Death Squadron was led by the ''Executor''.]] The [[Imperial Navy]]'s Death Squadron typically<ref name="Battles">''[[Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy]]''</ref> consisted of one [[Executor-class Star Dreadnought|''Executor''-class Star Dreadnought]] as its [[command ship]], the ''[[Executor]]'',<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer" /> as well as five<ref name="Battles" /> [[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers]],<ref name="Front Lines">''[[Star Wars: On the Front Lines]]''</ref> including the upgraded<ref name="BS">{{InsiderCite|issue1=149|issue2=150|Blade Squadron (short story)}}</ref><ref name="Conquest">{{SWCT|Star Destroyer - Star Wars Rebels: Blueprints|Star Destroyer - ''Star Wars Rebels: Blueprints''}} identified the tractor beam targeting array the ''Conquest'' was seen to have in [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]. This was replaced by the [[communications array]] as seen in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']] on the ''Conquest'', so the ''Conquest'' must have been upgraded.</ref> [[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyers]]<ref name="A New Hope">{{Film|IV}}</ref> [[Conquest (Imperial I-class)|''Conquest'']] and ''[[Devastator]]'',<ref name="Battles" /> as well as the [[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyers]]<ref name="Episode V" /> ''[[Avenger]]'', ''[[Tyrant]]'', and ''[[Ultimatum]]''.<ref name="Battles" /> The ''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyer<ref name="Episode V" /> ''[[Stalker]]'' was attached to Death Squadron prior to the [[Battle of Hoth]].<ref name="Battles" /> As acting [[Commander-in-Chief]],<ref name="Bust Collection 30">{{BustCollectionCite|30|Star Wars Universe|The Emperor's Inner Circle}}</ref> [[Anakin Skywalker|Darth Vader]] could requisition any Imperial ship to join his fleet, and could be attached such as the ''Stalker''.<ref name="Battles" /> The ''Devastator'' had been the [[Dark Lord of the Sith|Dark Lord's]] flagship before the ''Executor'', and had been refitted on multiple occasions to keep it up-to-date.<ref name="BS" /> Death Squadron also featured at least three [[Arquitens-class command cruiser|''Arquitens''-class command cruisers]]<ref name="War 5" /> and multiple [[Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser|Imperial ''Gozanti''-class cruisers]].<ref name="Twilight" /> Death Squadron was under the command of Vader<ref name="Episode V" /> and [[Fleet Admiral]]<ref name="Rebel Files" /> [[Firmus Piett]], who replaced [[Admiral]] [[Kendal Ozzel]] after the latter's execution.<ref name="Episode V" /> Other officers within the armada included Admiral [[Jhared Montferrat]],<ref name="Episode V" /> [[Commodore]] [[Rae Sloane]],<ref name="LVWSYN" /> and Star Destroyer [[captain]]s [[Canonhaus]], [[Lennox]], and [[Lorth Needa]].<ref name="Episode V" /> Death Squadron's ground forces included the [[1st Legion]] and the [[501st Legion]]. Although the Squadron had multiple [[general]]s, General [[Maximilian Veers]] commanded the 501st's [[Blizzard Force]] at [[Hoth]].<ref name="Hoth and DS2">{{EncyclopediaCite|The Battle of Hoth and the Second Death Star}}</ref> ==History== ===Initial attack on the rebellion=== {{Quote|At the least, we need more strength—your Death Squadron must be brought to bear immediately. It's ludicrous for us to keep it—|Admiral Ozzel, trying to persuade Lord Vader to use Death Squadron|<ref name="Shu-Torun Lives">{{StoryCite|story=Shu-Torun Lives|book=Star Wars (2015) 50|bformatted=''Star Wars'' (2015) 50}}</ref>}} During the [[Galactic Civil War]], Death Squadron was the personal [[fleet]] of [[Darth]] Vader. Following the [[Battle of Yavin]], where the [[Galactic Empire|Empire]] lost its [[DS-1 Death Star Mobile Battle Station|Death Star]] [[battle station]] to the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic|Rebel Alliance]], the fleet's [[Commanding officer|leading officer]], [[Admiral]] [[Kendal Ozzel]], tried to convince the [[Lord]] Vader to bring Death Squadron to bear immediately to destroy the rebellion. However, his superior rejected this direct approach, agreeing with another of Death Squadron's [[Imperial officer|officers]], [[General]] [[Maximilian Veers]], in that the Alliance was not suitable for such an extermination. Instead, Lord Vader used his [[agent]], [[Monarch of Shu-Torun|Queen]] [[Trios]], to [[Battle for Jedha|infiltrate]] the rebels' command structure, allowing [[Gender|her]] to provide the location of their own [[Rebel Alliance Navy|fleet]] as it finished completion.<ref name="Shu-Torun Lives" /> [[File:Attack_on_Mako-Ta_begins.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Death Squadron arrives at Mako-Ta]] When Lord Vader's pawn, Queen Trios, informed him of the elusive [[Alliance Fleet]]'s location,<ref name="Star Wars 49">[[Star Wars (2015) 49|''Star Wars'' (2015) 49]]</ref> Death Squadron was sent to [[Assault on the Mako-Ta Space Docks|attack]] the [[Mako-Ta Space Docks]]. At first, the Sith Lord ordered the [[flotilla]]'s [[cruiser]] to hold their fire as the rebels attempted to ascertain their situation. The [[Squadron]] opened fired on the rebels' cruisers and started with General [[Vanden Willard]]'s flagship, ''[[Yavin's Hope]]''.<ref name="Star Wars 50" /> The Squadron continued to attack and destroy several more of the Rebels' cruisers.<ref name="Star Wars 51">[[Star Wars (2015) 51|''Star Wars'' (2015) 51]]</ref> Death Squadron then spotted the arrival of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' and sent in [[TIE/ln space superiority starfighter|TIE fighters]], along with the Dark Lord's personal [[Darth Vader's TIE Advanced|advanced TIE]] to pursue it. The flotilla also destroyed several rebel [[escape pod]]s.<ref name="Star Wars 51" /> However, [[Prince]]ss [[Leia Skywalker Organa Solo|Leia Organa]] was able to get some codes from the armada's flagship, the ''Executor'', that were able to restore the systems aboard General [[Jan Dodonna]]'s [[Starship|ship]], the [[Republic (MC80A Home One Type Heavy Star Cruiser)|''Republic'']].<ref name="Star Wars 54">[[Star Wars (2015) 54|''Star Wars'' (2015) 54]]</ref> The other rebel commanders were able to use the codes to jumpstart their cruisers and escape. The ''Republic'' was immobilized, but covered the retreating rebel fleet before it was destroyed with all hands.<ref name="Star Wars 55">[[Star Wars (2015) 55|''Star Wars'' (2015) 55]]</ref> ===Strike back at Hoth=== ====Battle of Hoth==== {{Quote|General, there's a fleet of Star Destroyers coming out of hyperspace in Sector Four.|a Rebel technician, to General Carlist Rieekan|<ref name="Episode V" />}} [[File:TheHandOfGod-ESBHD.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Vader's fleet preparing to assault the rebel force at Hoth]] Around [[3 ABY]], as part of [[Project Swarm]], the Empire sent 100,000 [[Viper probe droid]]s to search for hidden Rebel bases throughout [[the galaxy]],<ref name="Timelines" /> with five ''Imperial''-class, including two imperial iis.<ref name="S&S">''[[Starships and Speeders]]''</reF> Shortly before the Battle of Hoth, the ''Stalker'' was added to Death Squadron, augmenting its typically forces.<ref name="Battles" /> Near [[Qeimet]], in the [[Juris sector]], Death Squadron, composed of the ''Executor'', ''Avenger'', ''Devastator'', ''Conquest'', ''Stalker'', and ''Tyrant'',<ref name="Odyssey" /> received word in 3 ABY<ref name="Timelines" /> that probe droid [[XJ9-CS14]],<ref name="Droidography">''[[Star Wars: Droidography]]''</ref> dispatched from the ''Stalker'', had found the location of the rebel base-the planet Hoth.<ref name="Battles" /> The ''Executor'' and the five Star Destroyers entered [[hyperspace]] and traveled to the Hoth system, many light-years away from their current location.<ref name="TSBJN" /> [[Admiral]] [[Kendal Ozzel]], in [[Commanding officer|command]] of Death Squadron, chose the outdated<ref name="HC29">{{HelmetCollectionCite|29|Weapons & Uniforms|Imperial Fleet}}</ref> and unorthodox tactic of having his squadron emerge in hyperspace close to [[Hoth]],<ref name="Battles" /> in its [[orbit]].<ref name="TSBJN" /> This caused the rebels to activate a planetary shield for protection, a device that the Empire was previously unaware of and which made orbital bombardment impossible. Furious at Ozzel's incompetence, Vader strangled him and promoted Piett to Admiral. The planetary shield forced the Death Squadron to launch [[Blizzard Force]] to [[Battle of Hoth|attack]] the rebel base, while Piett had the Star Destroyers in a blockade formation to attempt to intercept escaping rebel vessels. The battle on the ground resulted in a route for the rebels and they where forced to evacuate. In order to protect the evacuating [[GR-75 medium transport]]s, the Rebel Alliance used an ion cannon to disable the<ref name="Battles" /> hulking<ref name="SFAW">''[[Skywalker: A Family at War]]''</reF> Star Destroyer blockade, starting with the ''Tyrant'', which allowed the ''[[Quantum Storm]]'' to escape safely to hyperspace.<ref name="Battles" /> ====Pursuring the ''Falcon''==== [[File:Avenger-Stalker-Tyrant.png|thumb|right|250px|The ''Stalker'' and ''Tyrant'' had a small collision with the ''Avenger'' as they chased the ''Falcon''.]] Immediately after the ''Millenium Falcon'' left Hoth,<ref name="TSBJN" /> the vessel was detected by Vader,<ref name="JMM5">[[Star Wars Jedi Master Magazine 5]]</ref> who diverted many of the ships from the blockade to pursue the ''Falcon''. The diversion of the blockading ships allowed many of the other rebel ships to escape.<ref name="BoH">{{EncyclopediaCite|The Battle of Hoth and the Second Death Star}}</ref> As the ''Avenger'' and its TIE fighters were chasing him from behind, Han Solo increased power to his thrusters<ref name="TSBJN" /> and headed straight for the ''Stalker'' and the ''Tyrant'', who were heading towards him on the front.<ref name="Odyssey" /> Solo executed an steep dive,<ref name="TESB" /> and the Star Destroyers were unable to correct their collision course; making brushing contact.<ref name="ESBJN" /> The ''Falcon'' attempted to enter hyperspace, but their hyperdrive failed, and they were unable to enter hyperspace. Balancing the risk of the rapidly approaching Destroyers and the possibility of destruction in the asteroid field, Solo chose to enter the field.<ref name="BoH" /> Unconcerned about the asteroid field, Vader ordered Piett to send Death Squadron into the field.<ref name="Timelines" /> With [[TIE/sa bomber]]s sent to bomb any asteroid big enough to hide the ''Falcon'' and the Star Destroyers using their turbolasers to blase any threatening asteroids, the ''Falcon'' hid in a "cave" inside [[Big One|an asteroid]], which turned out to be the mouth of [[Sy-O|an exogorth]]. The ''Falcon'' fled the asteroid, but the waiting ''Avenger'' soon resumed its pursuit of the vessel.<ref name="BoH" /> The ''Falcon'' left the asteroid belt, and with its hyperdrive still unavailable and with the ''Avenger'' and its TIEs in hot pursuit,<ref name="MFgallery">{{Databank|Millennium-falcon-biography-gallery|Millennium Falcon Biography gallery}} {{C|Slide 15}}</ref> Solo takes a wild, risky chance.<ref name="Evading the Empire">{{Topps|set=2019 Topps Star Wars Black & White: The Empire Strikes Back|cardname=Evading the Empire again|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/186614/cid/12613598/2019-Topps-Star-Wars-Black-&-White:-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-69-Evading-the-Empire-again|archiveurl=https://archive.vn/AQkTU}}</ref> Han solo flew directly at the ''Avenger''. The disbelieving captain Needa ordered the shields to be raised, and the ''Avenger'' fired its turbolasers, but none hit their quarry. The ''Faclon'' then disappeared from the ''Avenger''{{'}}s scopes.<ref name="TESBJN" /> In fact, the ''Falcon'' was hiding in a sensor blindspot on the back of the ship's [[conning tower]],<ref name="BoH" /> and the Needa and his officers mistakenly assumed the vessel had jumped to hyperspace. Needa dutifully reported to Vader in the ''Executor'', but Vader unjustly killed the captain when he offered his apology.<ref name="HC29">{{HelmetCollectionCite|29|Weapons & Uniforms|The Imperial Fleet}}</ref> Death Squadron then dispersed,<ref name="MFgallery" /> allowing the ''Falcon'' to escape when the ''Avenger'' dumped its garbage, as was standard Imperial procedure [[File:YouCanProbablyBuffThatOut-ESBHD.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The ''Ultimatum'' was destroyed by an asteroid collision]] As the ''Millennium Falcon'' fled Hoth and entered an asteroid field, Captain [[Lorth Needa]] deployed the TIE fighters of [[Theta Squadron (Galactic Empire)|Theta Squadron]] to patrol the area. Although the pilots disobeyed orders and entered the field, they did not face retribution for their actions after Captain Needa faced execution at the hands of Lord Vader's invisible grip for letting their quarry escape.<ref name="FACPOV">{{StoryCite|story=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)|book=From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back|sformatted=Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably)}}</ref> While Death Squadron was chasing the ''Falcon'' through through the asteroid field, every ship suffered damage, and the ''Ultimatum'' was destroyed<ref name="Battles" /> along with the ''Conquest''.<ref name="Timelines">''[[Star Wars: Timelines]]''</ref> {{Scroll box| With this knowledge of the rebel base, the Empire sent Darth Vader's personal squadron death squadron to attack. Death Squadron was composed of its typical composition of [[capital ship]]s:<ref name="Battles">''[[Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy]]''</ref> the [[command ship]] ''[[Executor]]'', an [[Executor-class Star Dreadnought|''Executor''-class Star Dreadnought]]<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer" /> as well as five<ref name="Battles" /> [[Imperial-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial''-class Star Destroyers]],<ref name="Front Lines">''[[Star Wars: On the Front Lines]]''</ref> including the upgraded<ref name="BS">{{InsiderCite|issue1=149|issue2=150|Blade Squadron (short story)|Blade Squadron}}</ref><ref name="Conquest">{{SWCT|Star Destroyer - Star Wars Rebels: Blueprints|Star Destroyer - ''Star Wars Rebels: Blueprints''}} identified the tractor beam targeting array the ''Conquest'' was seen to have in [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]. This was replaced by the [[communications array]] as seen in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']] on the ''Conquest'', so the ''Conquest'' must have been upgraded.</ref> [[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyers]]<ref name="A New Hope">{{Film|IV}}</ref> [[Conquest (Imperial I-class)|''Conquest'']] and ''Devastator'' and ''[[Ultimatum]]'',<ref name="Battles" /> as well as the [[Imperial II-class Star Destroyer|''Imperial II''-class Star Destroyers]]{{Fact}} ''[[Avenger]]'', ''[[Tyrant]]'', and.<ref name="Battles" /> In addition, the ''Stalker'' was attached to Death Squadron prior to the battle.<ref name="Battles" />}} ===Failure at Endor=== {{Quote|We're not going to attack?''"<br />"''I have my orders from the Emperor himself. He has something special planned for them. We only need to keep them from escaping.|Commander Gherant and Admiral Firmus Piett, regarding the ''Executor''{{'s}} role during the Battle of Endor|audio=WereNotGoingToAttack.ogg|<ref name="Episode VI" />}} [[File:Avenger-ROTJ.png|thumb|right|250px|Star Destroyers of Death Squadron in defensive orbit of the second Death Star over Endor.]] A large fleet, including Death Squadron and the [[Moddell sector fleet]] participated in the decisive [[Battle of Endor]].<ref name="BMF 33">{{BuildFalconCite|33|Starship Fact File|Imperial TIE/IN Interceptor}}</ref> The rebellion, having located the [[DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station|second Death Star]], attempted to destroy it. However, it was anticipated that the rebels would attack, and Death Squadron executed an ambush once they arrived at the moon. Towards the end of the engagement, the ''Executor'' and Death Star II were destroyed and both [[Galactic Emperor|Emperor]] [[Darth Sidious|Palpatine]] and Lord Vader were killed.<ref name="Episode VI" /> ==Behind the scenes== Death Squadron first appeared in the [[1980]] [[original trilogy]] film, [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']].<ref name="Episode V" /> It was first given its name in the new ''[[Star Wars]]'' [[canon]] on [[StarWars.com]]'s [[Encyclopedia (StarWars.com)|Encyclopedia]] entry for the [[Super Star Destroyer]].<ref name="SWE-Super Star Destroyer" /> The number of Imperial Star Destroyers that were a part of Death Squadron is inconsistent throughout [[canon]] sources. Multiple reference sources incorrectly specify that there were five Imperial Star Destroyers,<ref name"Front Lines" /><ref name="S&V4">{{ShipsandVehiclesCite|4|History of the Ship|''Imperial''-class Star Destroyer}}</ref> when in fact there where six.<ref name="Battles" /><ref name="FC">{{ForceCollection|Admiral Ozzel|star=3}}</ref> ==Notes and references== {{Reflist}}