The flag of the Empire flew over the entire galaxy, but was it destined to fall the moment Rogue One passed through the Scarif planetary shield? Steve looks at the military “might” of the Empire.
By Steve McGillivray // The Empire reigns supreme across the entire galaxy, ruling with an iron fist thanks to its Sith leader and the vast military resources at his disposal. Countless worlds are under its control and at the mercy of the dark side of the Force. That was, until a stolen Imperial Cargo Shuttle landed on the Imperial base at Scarif in a daring mission to steal the plans to the Death Star. From that moment, the fate of the Empire was sealed, largely in part to their utter incompetence of their military as a fighting force.
The Grand Army of the Republic
To fully appreciate the inadequacies of the Empire’s military, it’s worth tracing their origins back to just before the start of the Clone Wars.
Palpatine, firstly as a Senator of Naboo and then Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, skillfully set in motion events that bring about his power-grab from the Senate, the destruction of his only real obstacle–the Jedi, and the creation of the Galactic Empire. With the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic, thanks to Count Dooku in the guise of Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, the Republic gained a large fighting force of clones that was both very highly trained and unquestioningly loyal to the Jedi Generals and the Republic.
Despite a war across many fronts, facing superior numbers of droids on the Separatist side, the Republic had many successes. They were stretched thin, but they kept the fight going until Palpatine made his play and implemented Order 66 and grabbed executive power, creating the Galactic Empire. Having been the manipulator of events, he also made sure the Separatist leaders were all executed by his new apprentice, Darth Vader.
The Imperial War Machine
With the establishment of the Empire, an enforced peace was restored to the galaxy, albeit under Sith influence. In the intervening years until the moment Rogue One landed on Scarif, the Empire had only had to deal with small guerrilla-style attacks and had never had an enemy face them head on.
There was no cohesion among the Rebel Alliance forces, with disagreements among their Council and splits with the more extreme fringes of the Rebellion such as Saw Gerrera’s group. Democracy and ideological differences were getting in the way. When Jyn Erso makes her impassioned plea to the Rebel Council, she is met with disbelief in some quarters and sympathy in others but the lack of consensus forces her to set off on her mission with a small band of like minded souls.
It’s important to note that the dissenting voices in the Rebel Alliance are seemingly scared of the Empire and the military might it can bring to bear, which is largely how they have managed to rule uncontested for so long.
“Make 10 feel like 100”
When the Rebel team lands of Scarif, Jyn Erso addresses the small band of troops. She asks that they “make 10 fee like 100”. She also quotes Saw Gerrera, who told her that “one fighter with a sharp stick and nothing left to lose can take the day”. This is the key to the Rebels victory and why the Empire was always doomed. The Empire had a huge military and countless millions of troops, but the Rebels had motivation and nothing left to lose.
The strike force that landed on Scarif made the Empire pay a heavy price and although the ground forces were almost certainly all killed, their mission was a success. As soon as the Rebels show their hand and begin setting off the detonators around the Scarif Citadel its worth noting the reaction of the Imperials in the Citadel control room. As the chain of explosions sound out, the control room crew all stand around looking at each other, unsure what to do. Only the intervention of Director Krennic sees any action take place.
The Rebels take action
With the arrival of the Rebel fleet, led by Admiral Raddus, who had been swayed by Jyn’s appeal aboard the Profundity, the reaction of the officers on the bridge of the Star Destroyer is again telling. They are incredulous that the Rebel fleet has arrived and seem panicked by this turn of events. The Rebel fleet deals out a lot of damage to the Imperial fleet, destroying both Star Destroyers and taking out the shield. The plans are secured and the Rebel fleet heads into hyperspace just as the Death Star appears in the system, followed by Darth Vader on the Star Destroyer Devastator. The fact that Profundity is disabled then boarded by Vader and the entire crew most likely killed by the Empire does nothing to detract from the significant victory the Rebels gain at Scarif.
Eventually the Rebel base at Yavin IV is discovered and the Death Star sent to crush the Rebellion once and for all. Unfortunately for the over-confident Tarkin it proves to the the battle stations last mission as a small fleet of 30 Rebel ships attack and ultimately exploit the flaw left by Galen Erso, destroying the station. Again, a highly motivated and vastly outgunned Rebel force defeats the Empire, destroying the jewel of the Imperial arsenal in the process and killing several high ranking officers including Tarkin.
The Empire Strikes Back
The first significant defeat the Rebels suffered was at the Battle of Hoth. Even here, the scale of the Empire’s victory is not quite as significant as it may have been due to incompetence.
When the Viper probe droid beams back the information about the shield generator, Admiral Ozzel is dismissive of the find, passing it off as a likely base of smugglers. Only when Darth Vader intervenes is the Imperial fleet dispatched to the Hoth system. Ozzel makes his last mistake when he brings the fleet out of hyperspace too close to the system, alerting the Rebels to their presence.
This is crucial and allows the Rebels to mount a defense to stall the Empire’s assault while they evacuate the base. Ozzel pays with his life and General Veers leads a successful ground assault capturing the Rebels base. It’s telling that with Veers leading the assault the Empire wins with minimal casualties. With the Rebels in the palm of their hands the Empire manages to make a mess of things and the Rebels escape right from under their noses. Ozzel’s incompetence is the death knell of the Empire.
The Beginning of the End
Several months later the Rebels learn of the second Death Star under construction over Endor. Plans are laid to assault this new threat and a small strike force is sent to the forest moon to take down the shield generator protecting the Death Star. Once down the Rebel fleet will begin their attack. Again, the Empire does not cover themselves in glory. Palpatine’s arrogance and over-confidence is the final act of his Empire. Foreseeing the Rebel assault, his fleet lies in wait while down on Endor an “entire legion” of his finest troops is ready to ambush the team led by Han Solo. Initially things go well and the Rebels are captured but the Imperial troops are soon overwhelmed by the primitive Ewoks. With nothing more advanced than sticks and stones the Stormtroopers are resoundingly defeated and the shield generator destroyed.
With the shield down the Rebels manage to destroy the Death Star and rout the Imperial fleet, destroying Darth Vader’s flagship Executor, Luke saves his father and the Emperor dies by the hand of his longtime apprentice in the process. The Empire is defeated. Luke even warns Palpatine while the battle rages between the Rebel and Imperial fleets, “your overconfidence is your weakness”.
Arrogance versus Bravery
In all their battles, two things have played a large part in the outcome. The bravery of the Rebels in the face of vastly superior numbers and firepower and the arrogance and over-confidence of the Empire when faced with a ragtag band of Rebels. They never learned from Scarif and didn’t treat the Rebels in the manner they should have, as dangerous adversaries, and ultimately the paid the inevitable price.