- "I don't understand. Why did these troopers attack us?"
- ―Clone trooper Dogma, inquiring about the tragic friendly-fire incident
Waxer's platoon was a platoon commanded by Clone Lieutenant Waxer in 20 BBY during the Battle of Umbara amidst the Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic.
During the Grand Army of the Republic's campaign on the Expansion Regions world of Umbara, Waxer's platoon received information from Jedi General Pong Krell that the Umbarans had destroyed a clone unit and were disguised with their armor and equipment. However, the exact same information had been given to Clone Captain CT-7567 of the 501st Legion.The resulting battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides, until it was realized that both forces were actually clones. Although they had at this point lost their platoon leader, the platoon, along with the surviving element of the 501st, combined to apprehend General Krell for treason.
Description[]
The platoon comprised of thirty-six clone troopers divided into four squads[3] of the 212th Attack Battalion who were equipped with phase II clone trooper armor emblazoned with the distinctive orange markings of the 212th. In addition to their regular armor, the troopers in Waxer's platoon notably utilized mortars and were equipped with visors and backpacks.[1]
History[]
Friendly fire[]
- "Tell me, who gave you the orders to attack us."
(GASPING) "It… It was General Krell." (COUGHING) "He sent us to these coordinates to stop the enemy. We thought they were wearing our armor, but it was…you." - ―Captain Rex, discovering Krell's treachery
Waxer's platoon was active[1] in 20 BBY[4] as a part of the 212th Attack Battalion[1] on the Expansion Regions planet[5] Umbara during aptly named Battle of Umbara in the Clone Wars between the Grand Army of the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. During the final days of the battle, the platoon was informed by Jedi General Pong Krell, who was in command of the 501st Legion at that time, that a unit of clone troopers had been ambushed by Umbarans and the near-human soldiers had disguised themselves in clone trooper armor.[1]
However, Krell had informed the 501st Legion of the same scenario, who deployed a his forces in response. Shortly after, both units came into contact, each thinking the other was Umbaran. Waxer's platoon initiated contact with the 501st's, and both sides suffered horrendous friendly-fire casualties—including Waxer. Once it was discovered that their enemy was not Umbaran but rather their own comrades, the element of the 501st combined with the survivors of Waxer's platoon to take on Krell.[1]
Apprehending Krell[]
- "It's treason then."
- ―Pong Krell, upon being confronted by his own troops
The combined units marched on the Umbaran airbase, which was currently under the control of the 501st. They engaged in contact with Krell in the base's control tower, but the traitorous Jedi was able to escape into the forest, inflicting significant losses upon the clone troops. The dwindling troopers, including the remains of Waxer's platoon, pursued Krell into the forest outside of the airbase and began searching for him.[1]
As his disembodied voice echoed through the forest, Krell leaped down from the trees and began a renewed attack on the clones. As more and more troopers fell to the onslaught, clone trooper "Tup" stumbled upon a vixus, a predatory species native to Umbara. In a last-ditch effort to stop the carnage, Tup lured Krell toward the vixus, which subsequently caught the General. Due to the distraction, the surviving clone troopers were able to stun Krell and take him into custody. In the aftermath of the events, at least two clone troopers from Waxer's platoon survived.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Waxer's platoon first appeared, albeit unnamed, in the tenth episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Four, titled "Carnage of Krell," which was released on November 18, 2011.[6]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Carnage of Krell" (First appearance)
- "The Shadow of Umbara" — The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark
- "The Shadow of Umbara" — The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark audiobook
Sources[]
- "Carnage of Krell" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle! (First identified as Waxer's platoon)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Carnage of Krell"
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle!
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: Complete Locations establishes that a platoon in the Grand Army of the Republic contains thirty-six clone troopers divided into four squads. Since the Waxer's platoon was a platoon within the Grand Army, it must have the same composition.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of "Carnage of Krell" to 20 BBY.
- ↑ Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Online Companion on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
- ↑ Events: November 18 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)