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501st Legion

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501stlegion

The 501st Legion was a clone trooper unit in the Grand Army of the Republic, and was led by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and captain Rex during the Clone Wars, who was later replaced by Commander Appo at the end of the war. The 501st became a Legion of stormtroopers known by the moniker of "Vader's Fist" after the rise of the Galactic Empire, having continued serving under General Skywalker's new personna of Darth Vader, the Emperor's Fist and later the Commander-in-Chief.

History

During the short lifespan of the 501st, they served as one of the most important units in the Clone Wars. They served on many notable missions, including Christophsis, Geonosis, and Umbara. The 501st was commanded primarily by General Anakin Skywalker and Commander Ahsoka Tano.

Formation

The 501st was formed on the planet Kamino, like all clone troopers, and were deployed into service soon after.

Battle of Chrisophsis

Anakin and Rex on Christophsis

During the Clone Wars, the 501st served under the command of General Skywalker and Captain Rex.

The 501st was deployed on the planet Christophsis to defend against an encroaching CIS droid army, led by General Loathsom. They had already participated in a few small skirmishes, but this was their real trial by fire, and . They're first challenge was to break through a blockade formed by the infamous Admiral Trench simply to get to the planet, and once they did, took up defensive positions in the capital. They initially had problems from within, with a clone squad leader betraying his team and destroying many of the group's heavy weapons. However, they pulled off a stunning victory, marking the beginning of a long string of Republic victories.

Second Battle of Geonosis

After the Republic deployed off of Geonosis, the natives, with help from other elements of the CIS, started building droid factories, and began deploying them across the galaxy. This could not continue, and the Republic sent a task force with elements of the 501st, 212th, and Ki-Adi Mundi's unit. They planned to land at a position codenamed 'Point Rain', and begin the campaign from there. However, all did not go according to plan: Only the 212th successfully made it to the drop zone, with heavy casualties to boot. The 501st was separated with no heavy support, and fought their way to Point Rain with the remaining troops. After this, they continued to punch through the planet's fortifications, and eventually won the planet back. Geonosis would never rise again, and was finally wiped out by the Empire in later years.

Battle of Umbara

Appo501stUmbara-TG

Though undermined, the 501st eventually reconquered Umbara for the republic

The Battle of Umbara was possibly the most costly, but most rewarding, battle the 501st ever participated in. They lost many important members of their unit and their counterpart's, the 212th, but fought on under bad leadership. When the Skywalker was pulled back to the Jedi Temple, he was replaced by Pong Krell, who commanded the troopers like a dictator. He forced them into costly frontal attacks. They climax of the ongoing tension between Captain Rex (CT-7567) and Krell was a confrontation between the 501st and the 212th. Both units had been told that an Umbaran unit had stolen clone armor, and to expect the enemy to be fighting against troops in stolen armor. Finally, they troopers recognized that they had been tricked, and eventually executed Krell.

Order 66

Jedi Purge

The forces of the 501st Legion attack the Jedi Temple.

At the end of the Clone Wars, the 501st was stationed on Coruscant after a droid attack on the planet. They were the main force deployed into the Jedi Temple, and killed all of the remaining Jedi inside.

Other Battles

A small breakoff of the 501st with orange markings followed Ahsoka Tano into battle against Darth Maul during the Siege of Mandalore, which included Captain Rex. On Mandalore, the clones turned on Ahsoka with the activation of Order 66 but Rex, who had removed his inhibitor chip, helped Ahsoka escape and they faked their own deaths.

The 501st continued to serve in the Empire's wake and the clone troopers were eventually replaced with stormtroopers.

Known Members

Note: List incomplete

Infantry Units

Republic

Empire

Appearances

Note: This list is incomplete

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