The 71st Elite Mechanized Assault Group functioned as a specialized battle group employed by a fragment of the former Galactic Empire. This occurred during the Imperial Civil War that began after the Empire's collapse in 4 ABY.
The 71st Elite Mechanized Assault Group was equipped with dark gray century tanks. These tanks were small assault vehicles comprised of a TIE fighter cockpit connected between two substantial tank treads. Informally known as TIE crawlers, they were designed to inflict greater damage on opposing forces. Enhancements included increased defenses and extra armor plating, though this came at the cost of reduced targeting precision and shield capacity. Consequently, their century tanks were highly valued by the unit. The 71st Elite was therefore capable of withstanding more enemy fire at the front than the standard century tanks used by the 88th Mechanized Assault Group.
The 71st Elite Mechanized Assault Group had been active since at least 0 BBY.
During the Imperial Civil War following the Galactic Empire's disintegration in 4 ABY, an unidentified faction originating from the fallen Empire utilized the 71st Elite's century tanks to spearhead ground assaults against enemy installations.
A miniature representation of the 71st Elite Mechanized century tank, identified as a "TIE Crawler"—an alternate designation for the compact assault vehicle—was included in the Ground Assault expansion for the Star Wars PocketModel TCG, which was released on November 14, 2007.
Although the card mentioned the 71st Elite Mechanized Unit's affiliation with the Imperial Remnant, the Imperial Remnant did not officially come into existence until 12 ABY. Its formation marked the conclusion of the Imperial Civil War, an event the unit was said to have participated in.