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- "The Trade Federation was central to those great events—in fact, one of the final battles of the Clone Wars was fought right here on Cato Neimoidia."
- ―A Neimoidian
The Battle of Cato Neimoidia, also known as the capture of Cato Neimoidia, was one of the final battles of the Clone Wars, in which Jedi General Plo Koon led the Grand Army of the Republic's 442nd Siege Battalion against the Confederacy of Independent Systems for control of the Neimoidian Purse World of Cato Neimoidia, headquarters of the Trade Federation. The Galactic Republic captured the planet in the final hours of the conflict. While conducting a post-battle patrol flight over a bridge city, Koon was killed by his clone wingmen when Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine enacted Order 66.
Prelude[]
Tano and Skywalker defend Cato Neimoidia from Separatist attack
During the final year of the Clone Wars,[4] the Neimoidian Purse World of Cato Neimoidia, homeworld of Separatist Council member Nute Gunray[12] and headquarters of the Trade Federation,[5] was invaded by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Though Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Commander Ahsoka Tano led the Grand Army of the Republic's 501st Legion into battle against the Separatist, they were recalled to Coruscant after the Jedi Temple was bombed,[13] allowing the battle to end in a Confederate victory. Having captured the planet,[6] Cato Neimoidia fell under Separatist control.[12]
The battle[]
Odd Ball flies beside Plo Koon during the battle.
During the Outer Rim Sieges in the final days of the Clone Wars,[3] the capitulation of Cato Neimoidia was identified as a prime strategic goal that would help to end the conflict.[12] The Jedi Council dispatched Jedi Master Plo Koon to Cato Neimoidia[3] to lead the 442nd Siege Battalion,[8] proficient in besieging enemy fortifications,[14] against the Trade Federation stronghold.[7] The Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport was deployed during the campaign and earned notoriety for its effectiveness on Cato Neimoidia.[2]
A series of aerial campaigns fought over the world[10] and in its atmosphere[3] also made up part of the battle, with Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighters[10] and least one Clone Z-95 Headhunter[3] flying under Koon's leadership.[10] At one point, Davijaan "Odd Ball" flew alongside Koon on Cato Neimoidia.[15] During the battle, Koon led starfighters against a trio of Separatist Providence-class Dreadnoughts and droid tri-fighters.[3] Additionally, Clone Flight Squad Seven participated in the battle.[6] The Republic eventually captured Cato Neimoidia[5] in the final hours of the Clone Wars.[7]
Aftermath[]
- "Execute Order 66."
"It will be done, my Lord." - ―Darth Sidious and Captain Jag
Captain Jag prepares to kill Plo Koon in the aftermath of the battle.
Not long after the Republic victory,[9] while flying near a bridge city[16] on a patrol flight,[5] Koon was unaware what was happening in the ARC-170 starfighter behind him, piloted by Captain Jag. The clone trooper pilot was contacted by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, who ordered him to execute Order 66. Without hesitation, Jag adjusted his fighter and opened fire on Koon. The Jedi Master's Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor was hit and exploded in mid-air, killing him immediately. What remained of the fighter crashed into a building on the bridge city.[16] Much as its usage in the late stages of the Mygeeto Campaign did, the UT-AT's effectiveness on Cato Neimoidia helped to cement its legacy as a useful weapon.[2]
Appearances[]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Old Friends Not Forgotten" (First appearance) (In flashback(s))- Force Collector (and audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
- Poe Dameron 20 (Mentioned only)
Sources[]
- ARC-170 starfighter in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct) (First mentioned)
- Ultimate Star Wars (First identified as capture of Cato Neimoidia)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection: AT-AT Pilot Databank A-Z: C-21–Chandrila
- Star Wars: Complete Locations
- Star Wars: The Black Series (Pack: Clone Troopers) (backup link)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection: Commander Neyo Databank A-Z: Admiral Kilian–Kowakian
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition (First identified as Battle of Cato Neimoidia)
- Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition — ARC-170 Starfighter Expansion Pack Card: Squad Seven Veteran — ARC-170 Starfighter
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
- "Republic, Rebel, and Resistance Starfighters" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- "Anakin Skywalker" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- "The Clone Wars" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
- "The End of the Clone Wars" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Timelines
- Star Wars Starships & Vehicles: UT-AT History of the Ship: Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines establishes that the Battle of Anaxes is followed by the Battle of Cato Neimoidia. That battle is depicted as having begun towards the very end of the Clone Wars by "Old Friends Not Forgottens." According to "Aftermath," such a late stage conflict must occur "a long time" after the Battle of Anaxes, as Echo joined Clone Force 99 at the end of the Battle of Anaxes in "Unfinished Business" but has had time to visit Clone Force 99's barracks "a long time" before its events. As such, the Battle of Cato Neimoidia cannot immediately follow the Battle of Anaxes.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3
Star Wars Starships & Vehicles: UT-AT History of the Ship: Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Old Friends Not Forgotten"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars: Timelines
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2
Star Wars Black Series Clone Troopers of Order 66 on www.entertainmentearth.com (backup link archived on October 6, 2016)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Clone Wars" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 ARC-170 starfighter in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct)
- ↑ Poe Dameron 20
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Star Wars: Complete Locations
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Sabotage"
- ↑ Star Wars: The Black Series (Pack: Clone Troopers) (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition — ARC-170 Starfighter Expansion Pack Card: "Odd Ball" — ARC-170 Starfighter
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
External links[]
- Star Wars Black Series Clone Troopers of Order 66 on www.entertainmentearth.com (backup link archived on October 6, 2016)