Battle of Bryx

Next	Eventually the Declaration of Rebellion
Battle of Bryx
Conflict	Imperial Period conflicts
Date	Between 19 BBY and 2 BBY
Place	Bryx
Outcome	Imperial victory
Combatants
Bryx planetary defense forces
Galactic Empire
Commanders
Carigan
Imperial commander
Strength
Hundreds of ground guns Leviathan Submersible Carriers Starfighters
TIE fighters Dropships Stormtroopers
Casualties
Heavy
At least 25,000 stormtroopers

"Perhaps the most Impressive ground defense is the Carigan defense, created by Governor Carigan on his home planet of Bryx before the rise of the Rebellion. Hundreds of ground-based guns were placed near important targets while submersible fighter carriers roamed beneath the seas. When a fleet arrived to deal with the situation, it met with stout resistance."

―Michael Unther

The Battle of Bryx took place on Bryx between Governor Carigan and the Galactic Empire. Carigan had purchased several Leviathan Submersible Carriers and owned hundreds of hidden grounded anti-aircraft guns as well as many other types of high-tech weapons. The battle led to the defensive strategy known as the Carigan defense.

The battle

The invasion of Bryx occurred in the early days of the Galactic Empire.

Orbital siege

First the Imperials attempted an orbital siege to attack the Leviathan Submersible Carriers whenever they surfaced. However, whenever Imperial ships descended upon a Leviathan, they came under heavy fire from the hidden anti-air batteries. Moreover Carigan's fighters would stay within range of the ground batteries, thus gaining substantial supporting fire while attacking the Imperials. Imperials that attempted to pursue Carigan's fighters back into the atmosphere were typically shot down.

Planetary bombardment

The Imperial commander pulled back into an objective orbit over the capital of Bryx, which allowed Carigan to receive supplies from the other side of the planet. Any attempt to stop his transport ships were thwarted by his fighters. He also purchased further armaments.

Having learned of Carigan's reinforcements, the Imperial commander decided that only a quick attack would lead the Imperials to victory. And so, he decided to bombard the capital and many of the planetary guns whose locations were known.

Invasion

"Once the landing was complete, neither side had much organization — the stormtroopers had lost too many dropships to continue with their original orders and orbital bombardment forced Carigan's men to remain dispersed. The conflict that ensued took three days and casualties were high on both sides. However, Carigan's men had the advantage. They fought on familiar terrain with the support of the population. "

―Michael Unther

After the bombardment, a planetary invasion was commenced, using thousands of dropships. However, Carigan had avoided using many of his ground guns during the entire conflict, and their locations had remained unknown, until he started firing them at the Imperial dropships. It was estimated that at least 25,000 stormtroopers perished in the hail of blaster bolts, before they even set foot on the surface of Bryx.

Eventually, the Empire managed to land enough troops to engage in ground combat, but even then, they were disadvantaged, as Bryx's troops knew the combat ground much better and had the support of the population. The Imperials managed to secure the major urban centers, but there was still resistance from many of the Leviathan Submersible Carriers. Leviathans continued to offer resistance three years after the Imperial conquest of Bryx till the last one was destroyed due to a fault in its oxygen tank.

Legacy

"You are not likely to encounter the Carigan defense today. It requires a great deal of equipment and time to prepare. Only a planetary governor who knows he and his planet are going to secede from the Empire years in advance will be capable of using this technique."

―Michael Unther

The Battle of Bryx was often used in Imperial academies as a textbook example, along with the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Gorbah, of how things can go wrong during planetary assaults.

Appearances

• "A World to Conquer" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 2 (Mentioned only)

Sources

• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia