Mark Newbold, writing at StarWars.com, revisits the story of one the Rebellion’s bravest and most gifted pilots — Wedge Antilles.
If a hall of fame of galactic heroes were ever built, a slew of familiar names would be found. Luke Skywalker and his sister, Leia Organa; their father, the legendary Anakin Skywalker, and his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi; Jedi Knights from ages past including Avar Kriss, Stellan Gios, and Elzar Mann; and numerous others, whose heroic adventures would be told to children across the galaxy as the insidious scourge of the dark side reigned over the stars. Despite the contributions to freedom these (often flawed) heroes made, there were many who silently fought the good fight without the spotlight of fame or infamy. Uppermost among these unsung heroes was a young Corellian who dreamed of sailing the stars and becoming a pilot. His name was Wedge Antilles.
Pre-Galactic Civil War
Developing his skills to become a mechanic and then a pilot, Wedge took those skills to the busy ports of Corellia and beyond, enlisting in the propaganda-fueled ranks of the Galactic Empire. There he trained to become an elite TIE fighter pilot at Starstrike Academy on Montross, soaking up as much as he could. But a life as an Imperial was not meant to be.
The cruelty of the Empire and their despicable tactics fed a growing disdain, one that was noticed by Imperial Security Bureau agent and rebel informant Alexsandr Kallus, who would recruit Wedge. As the fight against the Empire evolved and became the organized Rebellion, Lieutenant Antilles was tasked with stealing clearance codes for a strike mission to Lothal from the ISB station on Killun 71, a mission he succeeded in, leading to the Battle of Atollon and supply missions out of Base One on Yavin 4.
Fate intervened; a leg injury forced him to sit out the Battle of Scarif as his comrades stole the plans to the Death Star, but after suffering heavy losses at Scarif, the Alliance sorely needed able pilots. Joining the ranks of Red Squadron, Wedge was given the call sign Red Two, and his intuitive piloting was a key element in the success of the mission to destroy the Death Star. Twelve brave pilots entered the fray; only Antilles and Luke Skywalker survived.
Without his impressive flying skills, odds are high that Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter would have perished under the flaring laser cannon assault of Darth Vader; and while Luke took the final shot that capitalised on the “fuse” Galen Erso had left in the Death Star plans, it was the bravery of Antilles and Darklighter — Luke’s childhood friend, barely a footnote in history — who allowed him the chance to do it.
From Yavin To Hoth
Despite his invaluable contribution, there was no medal ceremony for Antilles. Instead, he was immediately put to work, assisting in the evacuation of Yavin and running numerous missions to distant worlds including Giju and Devaron. He fought in the skirmish around the ISD Harbinger and scouted the world of Crait in the Outer Rim to check its suitability to be a future rebel base. After fighting in battles at Distilon and Perimako Major, he was assigned to Echo Base on Hoth and flew snow speeders as a member of Rogue Squadron during the Battle of Hoth.
One of the major ground engagements of the Galactic Civil War, the Battle of Hoth was another example of Antilles’ savvy and skill. Following Luke Skywalker’s suggestion that they use their tow cables to tangle and topple the Empire’s walkers, Wedge and Wes Janson gave their fellow rebels time to evacuate before Imperial forces led by Darth Vader stormed the base. There were no heroes at Hoth, only survivors, but the actions of Antilles gave the Alliance a glimmer of much-needed hope.
Read about his continuing journey from Hoth to Endor, Jakku to the Academy, and to Exegol here.
