“ | Until this battlestation is fully operational, we are vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped; they're more dangerous than you realize. | „ |
~ Cassio Tagge |
The Imperial Army was the ground forces of the Galactic Empire in the original Star Wars trilogy.
History[]
The Imperial Army was established from the Grand Army of the Republic after Supreme Chancellor Palpatine reformed the Galactic Republic into the Empire. A large proportion of the tools and personnel in the Imperial Army were taken from the preceding Republic Army.
In the early years of the Empire, the Imperial Army consisted mostly of clones; these were the first stormtrooper units. After the Imperial Defense Recruitment Bill and the arrest of Vice Admiral Rampart, Emperor Palpatine replaced the clones with non-clone stormtroopers, who became the new soldiers for the Imperial Army.
In the following years, the number of the Imperial Army rose to billions of stormtroopers, combat drivers, and army troopers. The Imperial Army had many garrisons on planets across the Galaxy, such as garrisons on Lothal and Ferrix. These garrisons kept the citizens across the galaxy under control.
The Galactic Civil War had begun by the year 4 BBY. In 0 BBY, the Battle of Scarif marked a crucial turning point in the Galactic Civil War, as the Rebel Alliance achieved a decisive victory at the Imperial security complex on the planet Scarif.
This was the opening act of the Battle of Yavin, which later resulted in the destruction of the Empire's Death Star. The Rebel Alliance's success in this battle enabled them to acquire the plans for the powerful weapon, proving to be a major victory in their fight against the Empire.
The Imperial Army fought against the Rebellion harshly. In 3 ABY, Imperial forces, led by Darth Vader, launched an assault on the Rebel Alliance base on the icy planet of Hoth. The Rebel forces were outnumbered and outgunned, but managed to hold off the Imperials for a short time. However, the Rebels were eventually forced to evacuate and the Imperials destroyed the base. The Rebel forces suffered heavy casualties during the battle.
That same year, the Empire invades Bespin and leaves a garrison on the planet. Darth Vader encountered his son, Luke Skywalker, and they had a duel. Darth Vader revealed that he was Luke's father and requested that Luke join him. Injured, Luke Skywalker rejected Vader and escaped. In the same time Han Solo taken by Boba Fett to Jabba The Hutt.
In 4 ABY the Galactic Civil War saw a major turning point. Led by General Han Solo, the Rebel Alliance was successful in destroying the Empire's shield generator on Endor, which enabled the Alliance Fleet to launch an attack on the incomplete second Death Star . This battle resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Rebels, as well as the destruction of second Death Star and The Emperor in it.
Leadership[]
Galactic Emperor[]
As Head of State Galactic Emperor Palpatine held absolute authority over the Imperial Army.
Chief of the Imperial Army[]
also known as Chief of Military Operations is the leader of the Imperial Army this post held by Grand General Cassio Tagge, who also Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military.
General Staff[]
The General Staff served as the primary command structure of the Imperial Army, taking charge of the decision-making process for military operations and being an integral component of Imperial High Command.
Counselor to the Empire[]
This position was created by Gallius Rax after the destruction of the second Death Star and Emperor Palpatine. He acted as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Military.
Administration[]
Administration was an important part of the Galactic Empire's Army.
Sub-Units[]
- Assault Armor Division
- Army Engineering Corps
- Army Air Corps
- Combat driver corps
- General maintenance
- Imperial Armor Corps
- Imperial Army Intelligence
- Imperial Army Military Police
- Imperial Army troopers
- Stormtrooper Corps
- Special Forces Command
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Contrary to popular belief, the Imperial Army Troopers are the backbone of the Imperial Army, instead of the Stormtroopers.
- However, since most Star Wars media are set closer to the frontlines, Stormtroopers have more appearances than the Imperial Army Troopers.