xhonzi said:
Yeah, it seems that Star Wars and the OT doesn't really show us "War between two roughly equal forces". It's more "hit and fade" guerilla tactics by the rebels. The Empire acts more like an over agressive Space Police Force looking for lawbreakers/protecting against terrorists.
The rebels only survive because the Empire never knows who/where they are.
In that way, it is similar to the current War on Terror. If the Americans, with their superior forces and technology, knew who and where all of the top terrorists were... the War would be over tonight. Hiding your top men is always a priority in war... but in WWII for example, the Axis were reasonably sure where the American and British leaders of state were at all times, and until the end of the war, we had a pretty good idea where Hitler was. At the very least, WE KNEW WHERE GERMANY, ITALY and JAPAN WERE.
We met openly on the battlefield... That kind of thing. But that campaign, despite the presence and dominance of air power, was conducted on a 2D plane- You could form a blockade on the ground or the water- in cities, roads or whathaveyou, and be reasonably sure that you would intercept your enemy there if they wanted to pass. A few soldiers may sneak past the blockade, but certainly not the entire army... The army was loud, slow and large, so it was easy to spot.
In space, the army is roughly the same size but the warground is infinitely larger. And since the travel is essentially fast, practically invisible (hyperspace) and not limited to any 2D planes... it seems you couldn't set up any kind of blockade that would be effective at all. That means you couldn't stop the enemy forces at a place of your choosing... that means that they would probably drag right up to your HQ and try to take you out. No "front" that has to be pushed forwards or backwards until you reach the ultimate goal... just jump to lightspeed and arrive at your ultimate goal.
So, the guerilla tactics in the OT seem to make sense- the rebels are hiding- therefore the Empire can't wipe them out... The Empire is numerous- therefore the smaller rebel force can't take them out directly. So they identify key targets (DS, DSII, whatever) come from hiding long enough to destroy it and cause financial setbacks, human loss, and morale loss.
I'm obviously still just having this conversation with my self... so I guess I will stop there. :)
George Lucas and Nathan Hale (or whoever...) should have read this before writing the Phantom Menace!!
Edit: Infact why didnt you email them this sometime around 1995 - it could all be your fault the prequels arent very good!