CanonSourcedAge of Rebellion, 5 BBY–5 ABY

Rescue of Princess Leia

c. 1 BBYApproximate dateLast checked: 23 October 2026

Warning: this entry reveals minor plot details.

The prisoner was taken off the battle station along with the data that made it possible to find its weakness.

Description

The operation did not begin as a rescue: the Millennium Falcon was carrying Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, and R2-D2 to Alderaan in order to deliver the stolen battle station plans to the Alliance. The planet turned out to have been destroyed, and the ship, which emerged from hyperspace amid its debris, was captured by the station's tractor beam; the crew and passengers hid in maintenance compartments. Solo and Skywalker disguised themselves in stormtrooper uniforms, Kenobi set out to shut down the tractor beam, and R2-D2, plugging into the station's network, discovered that Princess Leia Organa, who had passed the plans to him, was being held in detention block AA-23. The group got in there, leading Chewbacca in binders as a supposed prisoner, freed the captive, and fought their way back to the ship, with Organa herself often taking the initiative in the firefight. On the way back, Kenobi confronted Darth Vader, his former apprentice, and allowed himself to be killed so that the others could get away. The Falcon broke free of the station and fought off the starfighters pursuing it, but the Empire had deliberately placed a tracking beacon on it and followed it to Yavin 4, which led to the Battle of Yavin.

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Participants

  • ChewbaccaCharacter
  • Darth VaderCharacter
  • Galactic EmpireFaction
  • Han SoloCharacter
  • Leia OrganaCharacter
  • Luke SkywalkerCharacter
  • Obi-Wan KenobiCharacter
  • Rebel AllianceFaction
  • Wilhuff TarkinCharacter

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Locations

  • Death Star

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Works

  • Star Wars: Episode IV – A New HopeFilmСобытие показано в этом произведении.

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Causes

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Consequences

  • Battle of Yavin0 ABYThis event contributed to itExplanation hidden: it reveals the plot of the related event.

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Meanwhile

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Other connections

No other confirmed connections yet.

Editorial note: no information is given for this section.

Causes on the left, the current event in the centre, consequences on the right.
  • Interception of the diplomatic ship → Rescue of Princess LeiaInterception of the diplomatic shipA cause of this event. The seizure of the ship resulted in the capture of the senator, who was later taken off the battle station.
  • Rescue of Princess Leia → Battle of YavinBattle of YavinThis event contributed to it. Explanation hidden: it reveals the plot of the related event.

Sources

  • Episode IV shows the rescue of Leia Organa from aboard the Imperial station.

    Primary work · Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope · Checked: 23 October 2026

Source: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope