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The Strange Case of Admiral Ozzel
This is a highly speculative examination of Admiral Ozzel. It's purpose is to give a possible explanation but not necessarily the only one.
If the epitaph of "He is as clumsy as he is stupid" is ignored and and attention paid to his actions prior to his death, it would appear that Admiral Kendal Ozzel did everything in his power to hamper, delay, and sabotage the efforts of Vader in both finding and capturing the Rebel base at Hoth. Was Ozzel a Rebel sympathizer or perhaps even a Rebel agent?
Background
Unfortunately, Ozzel's
biography is less than one should expect considering his rank. It is said that he rose
through the social and military ranks due to his family's [Caridian] influence. It is
possible that this also saved him from greater scrutiny during the purges in the Imperial
Navy. It is also clear that the power vacuum that resulted from the destruction of the
first Death Star caused many to ascend in rank that would otherwise never would have. According
to his official biography, Ozzel took advantage of this calamity, landing the position of
Death Squadron commander.
Ozzel was, for a time, an instructor at the
Naval Academy. It is known that the Rebels used the Academy to recruit defectors; Biggs
Darklighter and "Hobbie" Klivian among them. A Captain Heliesk is also listed
among their "friends and contacts" but it is not clear who their contact to the
Rebellion were. If indeed he was in league with the Rebellion, it is possible that then
Captain Ozzel was either recruited by the Rebellion at the Academy or was in fact the main
Rebel contact there. If he was the contact, then the question becomes when was he
recruited? Nothing in his history affords a better possible link to the Rebellion than his
stint at the Imperial Naval Academy.
Probe Report
In the film, upon receiving the report of life-signs
with the vid of the power generator in the Hoth System from Piett, Ozzel immediately
dismisses it. In the script, the vid also includes rebel snowspeeders, yet Ozzel's
reaction is no different. "It could mean anything," he says. Ozzel was
completely opposed to investigating the Hoth System. If the ramifications of the
probe-droid report were obvious to Piett, then why not Ozzel?
He even goes as far as to
openly, though politely, disagree with Vader over the report. He attempts to dissuade the
Sith Lord saying that it could be an uncharted settlement or smugglers. However, would
settlers require or be able to afford a power generator that could power a planetary
defense screen? For smugglers, the same question with the stipulation that they prefer to
remain furtive. While each of these may have required some Imperial response, neither
would have required the attention of Vader and the Death Squadron. Also note that
Vader, Piett, and Ozzel recognized the generator; no argument was made over it.
Returning to Ozzel
disagreeeing with Vader, why would he risk himself that way? There was no danger in
immediately agreeing with him; what else did the Death Squadron have to do?. Yet he forces
Vader into giving him a direct command to set course for Hoth. Ozzel could not ignore
that and was visible upset. It is clear that without the direct intervention of Vader, the
Rebel base at Hoth would have been safe for the time being.
Exit from Hyperspace
There was clearly a planning
session involving Ozzel, Veers, and Piett over how best to attack Hoth. Ozzel proposes a
jump close to the system while, at the very least, Veers disagrees, perhaps suggesting
using the asteroid belt as cover. Obviously, Ozzel prevailed in the matter.
Possible reasons for advocating "Jumping in close to system":
Prevent early detection
Allow Imperials to make first strike in surprise
Cause panic in Rebels thereby reducing their ability to put up effective and coordinated defense.
Possible reasons for "Jumping in outside system":
No tell-tale hyperspace exit signature
Asteroid belt would mask approach
Would give better chance chance of attack before Rebels knew the Imperials were in system
It is clear from the film that Ozzel's tactic failed miserably on all three counts. Why did Ozzel disregard the other option in favor of his own when it was known that the Rebels employed sophisticated sensor technology and that his chances of achieving surprise were minimal?
Ozzel should know of the ComScan report of an energy field surrounding an area of the sixth planet, thus negating any surprise attack. Yet, strangely, when Vader contacts him he appears as though nothing is wrong. In fact, he seems rather pleased with the progress so far. Also note that he had not yet deployed the fleet to prevent Rebel ships from escaping. However, he was cut off in mid-sentence and he may have been about to tell Vader just that. His full plan for the attack may never be known.
Vader says, "You have failed me for the last time." What other, if any, failures did Ozzel have? They are not documented. Perhaps they also hampered the Death Squadron's search for the Rebels.
Sources
The Empire Strikes Back film and script.
Behind the Magic CD-ROM
www.StarWars.com/databank/character/