At some point (especially in the hanger right before they escaped), sure. But I seriously doubt it [troops missing on purpose as to track them to the rebel base] was happening from the second they landed on the Death Star. That strains credibility by quite a bit.
No, not right away. But as soon as they bust the Princess out, I’d say the plan was made and orders given. The only scuffle before that is when Luke n’ Han are dressed as troops and take em by surprise.
Surprise that somehow lasted 10 minutes
That scene last 15 seconds.
The answer, as in most movies, is that the faceless enemy can be shot while the heroes can’t otherwise the movie would just come to a screeching halt. It’s nothing more than the mechanics of making a movie like this.
Sure, but, like in most good movies, there are reasons given even if they are a bit of a stretch.