A division of the Galactic Empire's army, numbering 5,000-10,000 soldiers, was led by General Valin Hess during the Empire's reign. Following the death of Emperor Sheev Palpatine in 4 ABY, the genocidal Operation: Cinder was initiated throughout the Empire's military. During the campaign, Hess's division participated in an attack on the planet Burnin Konn. The soldiers fought in a city which had resisted the Empire. But during the fighting, Hess chose to destroy the entire city, sacrificing nearly all of his men.
The Imperial sharpshooter Migs Mayfeld survived the massacre and eventually parted from the Empire, having lost many friends in the division. In 9 ABY, Mayfeld crossed paths with Hess again while undercover in an Imperial refinery on the planet Morak. The pair discussed the loss of their division, and the general bragged about the destruction he caused. Still angry about the loss of his comrades, Mayfeld shot Hess and fled the refinery with his accomplice, Din Djarin.
Valin Hess's division was first mentioned in "Chapter 15: The Believer" of Jon Favreau's live-action Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which was directed by Rick Famuyiwa and released on December 11, 2020.
Valin Hess's division was first mentioned in "Chapter 15: The Believer" of Jon Favreau's live-action Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which was directed by Rick Famuyiwa and released on December 11, 2020.
- Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition