Battle of Rocrin

Trap and Destroy Rebel Convoy Near Rocrin was the name given a battle of Task Force Vengeance during its operations in the Airam sector. The title itself was that of the Empire's mission briefing and what it was called by its Rebel participants is unknown.

Background
The Empire had acquired reliable information that a large Rebel convoy would be transiting through the Rocrin system. In response to this Star Destroyer Rage and Interdictor Compellor readied an ambush there. Unlike previous engagements there was a modification to their standard search-and-destroy orders. Admiral Senn, desirous of learning what cargoes were being carried so as to better cripple the Rebellion's forces, inserted the command that all ships be scanned before destruction. In such a task speed, the Empire's pilots were reminded, was life.

The Battle
"What are you waiting for, Avenger? Inspect that convoy!"

- Unknown Imperial comm officer

Star Destroyer Rage and Interdictor Compellor arrived undetected at the chosen interception point. Once again starfighter support was provided by Avenger Squadron in its shielded TIE Interceptors, Beta Squadron in its TIE Bombers, and Gamma Squadron in its TIE Fighters. To better facilitate their protection role, Gamma was provided with concussion missiles.

Soon the Rebel convoy arrived, unceremoniously torn from hyperspace by Compellor 's gravity well projectors. Recognizing their immediate foes in the bombers of Beta Squadron, the Rebels A-wing escort, Oro Squadron, turned on them with missiles and lasers. Rage ordered Gamma to intercept while Avenger Squadron closed in on the freighters and corvettes. The dividing kilometers were crossed and the fight began.

Avenger Squadron, dodging missiles and weapon-fire from the lead ship, Assassin-class corvette Croisade, established that it held technicians of some kind. In quick succession the other ships were inspected. Freighter Rakan 1 held a fabricator; Rakan 2, to the Imperials' astonishment had a large reactor detected aboard. Other goods fit for the construction of a base were also found. Beta moved in. However, the Rebels had placed a distress call and no sooner had the first cargo ship exploded then X-wings from Ulan Squadron began to arrive. Knowing that the Empire trapped them through Interdictor Compellor alone, the X-wings had been equipped with proton torpedos and were given the cruiser as their target. Avenger Squadron, its inspections complete, joined Gamma in facing this new threat.

Meanwhile, the convoy continued to suffer torpedo hits. Its troubles worsened when Rage came into range and added its own bomardment. With its Oro Squadron escort being destroyed around it, the Rebel starships faced eradication. This indeed became their fate as Ulan was worn down without succeeding in driving off Compellor. Their final cargo ship destroyed, the Rebels were forced to cede the win to Task Force Vengeance.

Aftermath
Although Task Force Vengeance had scored another victory, its commanders, including Admiral Senn, were not without concern. Even as Imperial success mounted, so did the evidence of the Rebellion's substantial buildup in the sector. Furthermore, despite the convoy's loss, the Rebellion stepped up its efforts and matched the Empire's pressure. Not only did it construct Soren, a starship component factory, in the Mobetta system but also Calenz, a shipyard able to produce medium-sized warships, in the Nocto system. It was clear to both sides that the campaign was far from over.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter: Balance of Power