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At Hoth, we know there is a theatre shield protecting Echo base. For some reason that we don't really know about, ground forces can enter the shield by flying things can't (which is bizarre, but anyway...) But in the middle of the battle, Veers brings down the shield generator. Where are the TIE fighters then? The Empire could still used air support and the TIEs would have be useful to smash the hangars to prevent the Rebels from leaving, if nothing else.

Plus, we know that the ion cannon disabled the Stardestroyered, but where were the TIE fighters in space? The transporters were only guarded by a pair of X-Wings, considering all the ships in Death Squadron, you'd think they'd have ALOT of TIE fighters present which could intercept and destroy the Rebels on the way out, or at least get the X-Wings.

When Veers destroyed the shield generator the battle was almost over and the need for fighters would not be neccessary. Also Vader or Piett probably figured that Death Squadren (without fighters) could take down anything that came their way.

TIEs are flying bricks and inferior air support in an atmosphere. XG-1 Gunboats would be overkill, with no heavy ground ordinance needed anymore.

Illuminatus Primus wrote:TIEs are flying bricks and inferior air support in an atmosphere. XG-1 Gunboats would be overkill, with no heavy ground ordinance needed anymore.

Fair enough, but where were they in space to intercept the transports?

Gil Hamilton wrote:

Illuminatus Primus wrote:TIEs are flying bricks and inferior air support in an atmosphere. XG-1 Gunboats would be overkill, with no heavy ground ordinance needed anymore.

Fair enough, but where were they in space to intercept the transports?

Why bother? The ISD has anti-fighter guns, and the guns to shoot the transports? What would TIEs have done, but obscure the firing angles for the destroyer batteries and increase friendly fire incidents. And without that? They manage to engage some X-Wings. Some accomplishment.

Gil Hamilton wrote:Plus, we know that the ion cannon disabled the Stardestroyered, but where were the TIE fighters in space?

We don't see the other ships either. It's logical to assume that if there was more than one exit from the planet, they were blockading them all, most likely all around. Since Death Squadron had just a few ships, it's reasonable to assume that the TIE fighters had their parts to cover. The ion cannon made a temporary hole in the blockade.

Gil Hamilton wrote:But in the middle of the battle, Veers brings down the shield generator. Where are the TIE fighters then? The Empire could still used air support and the TIEs would have be useful to smash the hangars to prevent the Rebels from leaving, if nothing else.

See above.

Well according to the comic book I have of Baron Fel, he and his squadron was there. If not then at least TIEs were there at Hoth. ~Jason

Didn´t the novel say, that 24 rebel-transports were captured? If so, how many escaped?

Gil Hamilton wrote:At Hoth, we know there is a theatre shield protecting Echo base. For some reason that we don't really know about, ground forces can enter the shield by flying things can't (which is bizarre, but anyway...) But in the middle of the battle, Veers brings down the shield generator. Where are the TIE fighters then? The Empire could still used air support and the TIEs would have be useful to smash the hangars to prevent the Rebels from leaving, if nothing else.

The Empire never realised that the Rebels were using an open field to evacuate. Since they believed the Rebels were staging their evacuation from an docking bay, TIE fighters in close, especially since they didn't know about any semi-operational rebel defences would have been sucidal.

Plus, we know that the ion cannon disabled the Stardestroyered, but where were the TIE fighters in space? The transporters were only guarded by a pair of X-Wings, considering all the ships in Death Squadron, you'd think they'd have ALOT of TIE fighters present which could intercept and destroy the Rebels on the way out, or at least get the X-Wings.

The TIEs did engage at least Luke X-wing. Its possible they were arranged out in a long patrol line around the entire planet and that we just didn't get to see any.