The Battle of Yavin
The desperate first battle for the Rebellion, the Battle of Yavin was their second major victory against the Galactic Empire. After intercepting the plans for the battle station, Princess Leia was taken prisoner aboard the Death Star. Rescued by Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, they fled to the fourth moon of the Yavin system, the location of a secret Rebel base.
Unfortunately, a tracking device had been placed on Solo's ship, and the base was found out. With only hours to spare, Rebel technicians poured over the plans, looking for a weakness in the Death Star's design.
Once the Death Star arrived in the Yavin system, the Rebels had only half an hour before it would clear the gas giant and be in a position to fire on the moon. They thus launched their most daring attack to date: some thirty starfighters divided into Red Squadron, a X-wing group, and Gold Squadron, a Y-wing group, met the Death Star. The plan was simple: a thermal exhaust vent in the Death Star's design led directly to the main reactor. A proton torpedo fired into the vent would cause a chain reaction, destroying the station.
The Rebel attack would have been easily dispatched were it not for the overconfidence of the station's commander, Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin refused to launch fighters in defense of the station, even when it was indicated that they did pose a threat. As such, only a relatively small number of fighters under the direct command of Darth Vader launched against the Rebels.
As it was, this was nearly enough to halt the Rebel attack: all but three fighters had been destroyed when Luke Skywalker flew his last run down the trench. Notable pilots killed in the engagement included Luke's old friend, Biggs Darklighter, and Jet "Piggy" Porkins. After a glancing hit forced Wedge Antilles to break off, Biggs was shot down, leaving Luke undefended as he attempted to destroy the station.
Were it not for the timely intervention of Han Solo, Luke's fighter would surely have been shot down and the Rebel base destroyed. Solo managed to drive Luke's pursuers away, and even as the station began preparations to fire the superlaser, Skywalker turned off his targeting computer and, relying on the power of the Force, fired.
Luke's shot was a direct hit, creating a chain reaction that destroyed the Death Star.
Aftermath
The destruction of the Death Star did not phase Emperor Palpatine, who began construction on a new superweapon immediately following its destruction. The death of Grand Moff Tarkin was a significant blow to the Empire, however. Following the battle, the Rebels were forced to evacuate the Yavin base, as an Imperial reprisal would be swift and devastating. Only three Rebel fighters survived the battle: Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, and an unnamed Y-wing pilot.
Unfortunately, a tracking device had been placed on Solo's ship, and the base was found out. With only hours to spare, Rebel technicians poured over the plans, looking for a weakness in the Death Star's design.
Once the Death Star arrived in the Yavin system, the Rebels had only half an hour before it would clear the gas giant and be in a position to fire on the moon. They thus launched their most daring attack to date: some thirty starfighters divided into Red Squadron, a X-wing group, and Gold Squadron, a Y-wing group, met the Death Star. The plan was simple: a thermal exhaust vent in the Death Star's design led directly to the main reactor. A proton torpedo fired into the vent would cause a chain reaction, destroying the station.
The Rebel attack would have been easily dispatched were it not for the overconfidence of the station's commander, Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin refused to launch fighters in defense of the station, even when it was indicated that they did pose a threat. As such, only a relatively small number of fighters under the direct command of Darth Vader launched against the Rebels.
As it was, this was nearly enough to halt the Rebel attack: all but three fighters had been destroyed when Luke Skywalker flew his last run down the trench. Notable pilots killed in the engagement included Luke's old friend, Biggs Darklighter, and Jet "Piggy" Porkins. After a glancing hit forced Wedge Antilles to break off, Biggs was shot down, leaving Luke undefended as he attempted to destroy the station.
Were it not for the timely intervention of Han Solo, Luke's fighter would surely have been shot down and the Rebel base destroyed. Solo managed to drive Luke's pursuers away, and even as the station began preparations to fire the superlaser, Skywalker turned off his targeting computer and, relying on the power of the Force, fired.
Luke's shot was a direct hit, creating a chain reaction that destroyed the Death Star.
Aftermath
The destruction of the Death Star did not phase Emperor Palpatine, who began construction on a new superweapon immediately following its destruction. The death of Grand Moff Tarkin was a significant blow to the Empire, however. Following the battle, the Rebels were forced to evacuate the Yavin base, as an Imperial reprisal would be swift and devastating. Only three Rebel fighters survived the battle: Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, and an unnamed Y-wing pilot.