Ambush in the Derilyn system

The First Battle of Derilyn was an Alliance ambush which resulted in a devastating defeat for the Imperial fleet sent to reinforce Task Force Vengeance.

The Battle
The Rebel Alliance intended to put their newly-christened Modified Strike Cruiser Peregrine to bear. Having learned of a reinforcement fleet with additional ships and supplies intended for Task Force Vengeance, the time to strike had come.

Positioning the Peregrine and Liberty in the Derilyn system, the newly-acquired gravity well projectors performed their intended task against their former owners: the whole reinforcement fleet was drawn out of hyperspace, which consisted of two Escort Carriers, two EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates, a Nebulon-B2 frigate and a Strike Cruiser.

Rogue Squadron immediately launched their complement of torpedoes at the modified frigate, crippling the vessel. Green Squadron engaged the other capital ships while Rogue Squadron migrated to eliminating any starfighter that would launch.

The Imperial fleet, while caught fully surprised, was likely alerted of the capture of Interdictor Compellor and a distinct possibility of it being used against the Empire. The Vengeance reinforcements had their fighter and bomber squadrons on hot standby and were able to launch them immediately, while the capital ships turned to move in on the Liberty and Peregrine.

Whether alerted or not, the battle group was vastly disorganized, partly likely due to the crippling hits to the Nebulon-B2 frigate Subjugator, partly thanks to being pulled out of hyperspace with no warning, and relatively quickly suffered heavy losses&mdash;the frigates exploded first, shortly followed by the Strike Cruiser. The last to be destroyed were the two Escort Carriers Abolisher and Hyperion due to their relatively small threat they posed to the Alliance starships.

Aftermath
The Alliance victory was likely one of the most impressive won by the Rebellion; The intercepted fleet outnumbered the Liberty strike force at least ten to one in terms of starfighters and three to one in terms of capital ships; Yet the Alliance suffered only relatively minor losses and slight damage to both Liberty and Peregrine.

The destruction of six capital ships, their starfighter complements and any loaded supplies intended for Task Force Vengeance also meant that Admiral Senn was further limited in what action he could take in the Airam Sector from now on, gradually running low on warheads, fuel, and consumeables.

Appearances

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