Attack on Yavin 4

"The Imperial bombardment continues, but it looks like they're moving forward with an attack from the planet surface. This raid is much more intense than usual. We're evacuating the last of the command staff&hellip;"

- General Jan Dodonna

The Third Battle of Yavin 4 was the most intense consequence of the Galactic Empire's reaction to the destruction of the first Death Star.

Prelude
In 0 ABY, the Alliance to Restore the Republic had struck a large blow against the Galactic Empire when Rebel starfighters attacked and destroyed the Death Star during the Battle of Yavin. Some time after, the Empire reacted to the Death Star's demise by sending a large Imperial force to invade the Rebel base on Yavin 4.

The battle
The Imperials sent a larger attack than usual against the base, determined to crush the Rebels at last. Red Squadron, led by Commander Luke Skywalker, were ordered to take out the Imperial transports that were landing on the planet.

During Red Squadron's attack on the Imperial transports, Skywalker, before destroying the fourth transport, briefly entered the immense ship with his X-wing to pick up advanced shield technology for future use, having spotted them.

Upon the destruction of the transports, the invasion was temporarily stalled. A TIE fighter then ambushed Luke only for it to be shot down by Red Three, Sarkli. Afterward, the second wave of Imperial transports, consisting of loader transports, arrived to strengthen the ground forces. The Rebel General Jan Dodonna then ordered Red Squadron to shoot down the loader shuttles, as well as defend the final Rebel transport Luminous that was currently docked on one of the islands near the temple until it was ready for takeoff. Afterward, the Luminous managed to escape. After a majority of the loader shuttles and dropships were destroyed, a transport slipped through defenses and deployed a stormtrooper force into the Great Temple, pinning General Dodonna in the Ceremonial Chamber. Skywalker ordered Sarkli to defend the transports, while he and Wedge Antilles landed in the temple and shot their way through the attackers.

] The two managed to save Captain Bren Derlin and Dodonna, and proceeded to the entrance of the base, where they were pinned down by two AT-STs. Sarkli swooped down and destroyed the walkers, allowing the group to escape in a GR-75 medium transport. General Dodonna then thanked Skywalker, as he felt it was because of Skywalker sending Sarkli off that there were survivors.

Aftermath
However, there was still an Imperial blockade awaiting them in space. In addition, Emperor Palpatine expressed his displeasure at the turn of events, although Darth Vader revealed that it was only a temporary setback. Red Squadron was next deployed to Dantooine to aid the defection of Tycho Celchu. Although an Imperial victory, the battle was also seen as a Rebel victory, because the Rebel command was safely evacuated. However, not all Rebel commanders were evacuated during this battle, two examples being Bothan High Command and General Jan Dodonna, who were still on Yavin IV after the battle. Bothan High Command was destroyed during another battle whilst Jan Dodonna was captured during the final battle of Yavin.

Behind the scenes
"The Imperials have landed on Yavin 4, and are heading toward the Rebel base. Stall the Empire's advance and buy the Rebels time to escape."

- Briefing narrator narrating the mission description for "Revenge of the Empire"

In the 2002 video game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, a level called "Revenge on Yavin" takes place on Yavin's fourth moon. The level sees the player, as Darth Vader, attempt to destroy several Rebel GR-75 medium transports before they can leave the moon's surface. They are defended by BTL Y-wing starfighters and T-65 X-wing starfighters, and occasionally, T-47 airspeeders can be seen speeding across the moon's surface. Additionally, in this level, the planet Yavin is seen in background a purple color, rather than the usual orange. The canonical battle appears in the 2003 video game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, with the player flying as Luke Skywalker.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike