Why didn't the Rebels land directly at the base at Endor?

[Adam Reynolds]

One thing I was just thinking about regarding the Rebel plan was why didn't they launch a direct assault out of the shuttle? Unless I'm missing something, it would seem to have been the most foolproof method of gaining access to the base. It would have also prevented the Empire from realizing something was up when the shuttle fails to land after gaining clearance. Does anyone know if the platform is connected to the main base or not?

[The Original Nex]

Probably because they would have all been killed by imperial guards who were operating under the assumption that there would be a Rebel attack?

[Thanas]

One thing I was just thinking about regarding the Rebel plan was why didn't they launch a direct assault out of the shuttle? Unless I'm missing something, it would seem to have been the most foolproof method of gaining access to the base. It would have also prevented the Empire from realizing something was up when the shuttle fails to land after gaining clearance. Does anyone know if the platform is connected to the main base or not?

Did you miss stuff like AT-ATs and other heavy firepower protecting the bunker? Yeah, running into all that while making a direct drop is not going to be pleasant for the rebels.

[lord Martiya]

One thing I was just thinking about regarding the Rebel plan was why didn't they launch a direct assault out of the shuttle?

Well, there was at least an AT-AT, and a few hundreds or more Stormtroopers. I think that they could only try and have at least some Stormtroopers searching the forest for them while they attack or go kamikaze. And going kamikaze assume the enemy has not something like THIS or worse ready to shoot down the kamikaze.

[SeaTrooper]

Probably because they would have all been killed by imperial guards who were operating under the assumption that there would be a Rebel attack?

Exactly. The whole purpose of the shield generator was to protect DSII, and would thus HAVE to be strongly garrisoned and defended. A better question would be how the Rebels expected to get anyway. With only a squad of commandoes, they were going in fully understanding that they were hugely outnumbered, but WEREN'T aware of the back door yet. Landing on the pad would have put them in the sights of the garrisons strongest and best planned defences, so I guess sneaking in was likely their only choice.