The Battle of Cato Neimoidia, also known as the capture of Cato Neimoidia, was one of the final battles of the Clone Wars, in which Jedi General Plo Koon led the Grand Army of the Republic's 442nd Siege Battalion against the Confederacy of Independent Systems for control of the Neimoidian Purse World of Cato Neimoidia, headquarters of the Trade Federation. The Galactic Republic captured the planet in the final hours of the conflict. While conducting a post-battle patrol flight over a bridge city, Koon was killed by his clone wingmen when Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine enacted Order 66.
Tano and Skywalker defend Cato Neimoidia from Separatist attack
During the final year of the Clone Wars, the Neimoidian Purse World of Cato Neimoidia, homeworld of Separatist Council member Nute Gunray and headquarters of the Trade Federation, was invaded by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Though Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and Commander Ahsoka Tano led the Grand Army of the Republic's 501st Legion into battle against the Separatist, they were recalled to Coruscant after the Jedi Temple was bombed, allowing the battle to end in a Confederate victory. Having captured the planet, Cato Neimoidia fell under Separatist control.
Odd Ball flies beside Plo Koon during the battle.
During the Outer Rim Sieges in the final days of the Clone Wars, the capitulation of Cato Neimoidia was identified as a prime strategic goal that would help to end the conflict. The Jedi Council dispatched Jedi Master Plo Koon to Cato Neimoidia to lead the 442nd Siege Battalion, proficient in besieging enemy fortifications, against the Trade Federation stronghold.
A series of aerial campaigns fought over the world and in its atmosphere also made up part of the battle, with Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighters and least one Clone Z-95 Headhunter flying under Koon's leadership. At one point, Davijaan "Odd Ball" flew alongside Koon on Cato Neimoidia. During the battle, Koon led starfighters against a trio of Separatist Providence-class Dreadnoughts and droid tri-fighters. Additionally, Clone Flight Squad Seven participated in the battle. The Republic eventually captured Cato Neimoidia in the final hours of the Clone Wars.
Captain Jag prepares to kill Plo Koon in the aftermath of the battle.
Not long after the Republic victory, while flying near a bridge city on a patrol flight, Koon was unaware what was happening in the ARC-170 starfighter behind him, piloted by Captain Jag. The clone trooper pilot was contacted by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, who ordered him to execute Order 66. Without hesitation, Jag adjusted his fighter and opened fire on Koon. The Jedi Master's Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor was hit and exploded in mid-air, killing him immediately. What remained of the fighter crashed into a building on the bridge city.
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