Battle of Jabiim

"We will let the Jedi Generals know that we will fight to be free! We will fight to defend our planet! We will send the Jedi home in caskets!"

- Alto Stratus

The Battle of Jabiim was a major battle of the Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic.

Background
Republic agents on Jabiim informed the Galactic Senate that the Jabiim Congress had been undermined by Separatist influences. In fact, Alto Stratus had orchestrated a coup, killing most of the Loyalist members of Congress. Although he spoke eloquently about the "oppression" of the Republic, many believed these words had been purchased with weapons, supplies, and credits by the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

Negotiations spearheaded by the Alderaanian Diplomatic Corps were rebuffed as Jabiim geared towards war. Rather than lose Jabiim and its valuable mines, the Republic decided to retake the world by force. The Republic positioned their strike force on nearby Handooine.

The Battle
The Republic forces established a stronghold at Shelter Base, and proceeded to launch attacks on Separatist defensive positions. The Jedi made sure to heal any captured rebels, in an attempt to gain the support of the populace. The Republic forces overran a dozen enemy defensive positions, but it was actually a Separatist strategy to divide the Republic forces. Stratus kept his battle droids and his elite Nimbus commandos in reserve for a strike on the now-vulnerable Shelter base. He attacked on day 21, inflicting heavy casualties, including two Jedi generals and most of the Padawans present.



The Republic was ill-prepared for the atrocious conditions on Jabiim, while the Jabiimite rebels had lived there all their lives. The Republic's heavy walkers became mired in the muddy, rain-soaked plains, where they were vulnerable to agile Nimbus commandos.

Over the course of the next week, Stratus's forces made significant gains in the Northern hemisphere, killing General Norcuna and all of his forces. By day 30, 18 Jedi and 9,000 clone troopers had been killed in action. General Leska, now the highest-ranking Jedi, ordered an immediate strike at the Razor Coast, in an attempt to capture Stratus. The Republic defeated the Separatist forces there, but suffered heavy casualties. Stratus was miles away, preparing to attack the Republic base of Cobalt Station. General Kenobi was also believed killed when the walker he was in was destroyed. In truth he was captured along with the ARC trooper Alpha-17.



On day 37, Leska and her troopers were killed. The Republic forces were leaderless, and a full-scale evacuation was planned. However, the newly reinforced Separatists were advancing on the departure point at Monsoon Mesa, just South of Cobalt Station. A small group of Padawans and the garrison of clone troopers prepared to defend the station to the death, to delay the Separatists. They held out until day 43, against an army of more than 10,000. Stratus was killed by Aubrie Wyn, a thirteen year old Padawan. Every Jedi present died, except for Anakin Skywalker, who - on Palpatine's orders - had departed to lead the evacuation.

On day 43, the Republic ships arrived. However, there were not enough ships for both the clones and the loyalist forces. Skywalker chose the clones; the Loyalists were abandoned to their fate to possibly to be killed, tortured or simply be treated as P.O.W.s by the Separatist Jabiimites, and they threw mud and curses at the retreating Republic forces.

The battle was considered a grievous defeat for the Republic.

Casualties



 * Sana-Jis Ilowa
 * Dalnus Cam
 * Rallcema Bylissura
 * Norcuna
 * Leska
 * Sirrus
 * Tae Diath
 * Elora Sund
 * Windo Nend
 * Zule Xiss
 * Mak Lotor
 * Vaabesh
 * Aubrie Wyn
 * Alto Stratus

Obi-Wan Kenobi was thought to be perished it was later learned, had not perished at all. In truth, he and the ARC trooper Alpha-17 had been captured by Asajj Ventress and transported to Rattatak.

Behind the scenes
The Jabiim Campaign may be modeled after the real world Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War between the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire, Australia and France.

The British, Australians and French attempted to use Gallipoli as a beach-head to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The attempt failed, and an estimated 505,000 soldiers were killed and 262,000 wounded between April 1915 to January 1916.

Appearances

 * Republic HoloNet News Core Edition 14:7:02
 * Star Wars Republic: The Battle of Jabiim
 * Republic HoloNet News Core Edition 14:9:01
 * Star Wars Republic 61: Dead Ends
 * Star Wars Republic 62: No Man's Land
 * Jedi Trial
 * Jedi: Yoda
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization
 * Star Wars Empire: In the Shadows of Their Fathers
 * Star Wars Rebellion 0: Crossroads