Operation Domino

In the time that followed the Declaration of Rebellion, the forces of the Alliance Military were structured into Sector Forces. Operation Domino marked the initial large-scale military effort by the Rebel Alliance against the Empire. The strategic planning for this operation involved key figures such as Chief of State Mon Mothma. The central concept of Operation Domino revolved around utilizing the more powerful Sector Forces to decisively overcome local Imperial garrisons in highly visible engagements. Following these victories, the intention was to establish fortified positions behind their planetary shields to demonstrate the potential for planets to liberate themselves, thereby sparking widespread rebellion throughout the galaxy.

The outcomes of Operation Domino were the opposite of what was intended, leading to the brutal suppression of multiple uprisings. The Empire labeled the rebellious planets as the "Secession Worlds" and swiftly crushed them using the might of the Imperial Navy. Instead of triggering a widespread revolution, the Rebellion suffered significant setbacks, with numerous Alliance military units being destroyed and surviving forces scattering. Mon Mothma came to the realization that while the Alliance could assemble infantry brigades from its many Sector Forces, these units often lacked adequate formal training, essential infrastructure, air support, or access to replacement parts.

A rare success story during the campaign was the liberation of Dac.

Despite the military failures, Operation Domino yielded some positive, albeit unexpected, results. The sacrifices made by the rebels generated a surge of sympathy for the Rebellion, particularly within the ranks of the Imperial Army. Several high-ranking Imperial officers, including General Kryll and Commander Harles, defected during the campaign. Their assistance was instrumental in reorganizing the damaged rebel brigades into the Alliance Special Forces.

Furthermore, the Mon Calamari achieved freedom during this period. Having successfully overthrown Imperial control, the Calamari fortified their sector by deploying mined approaches, establishing a crucial stronghold and a vital source of starships for the Rebellion.

According to Paul Urquhart, as documented in Jason Fry's endnotes for The Essential Guide to Warfare, the campaign's name was inspired by the "domino theory," a concept originating from the Vietnam War era that warned of the potential for unchecked Communism to spread rapidly across Southeast Asia and other regions. He also pointed out that the event was initially referenced in the Rebel Alliance sourcebook, although the origin of the name remains uncertain. Interestingly, the Rebel Alliance itself was partly modeled after the Vietcong in Vietnam, a group that the domino theory cautioned against.

• The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook
• The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, Second Edition
• The Essential Guide to Warfare
• Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook

• Jason Fry's Dorkery — EG to Warfare: Endnotes Pt. 11 on Tumblr (backup link)

• Related categories:

• Battles of Operation Domino

• Battles of Operation Domino