The base was built in a denseforest on the far side ofDantooine fromDantoo Town. It was disguised as asapfarm.[2] The first structures erected were prefabricatedliving modules, which were soon supplemented with defenses including weapons stolen fromsmuggler outposts and anenergy shield taken from an Imperial prison.[3] The base contained a vast enclosure that could house dozens of smallstarfighters, dozens ofdroid-charging ports, advanced communications technology, and dozens ofbunks for several hundredtroops. At one point, theAlliance troops planned to expand the base, starting to dig underground extensively.[4]
"Our scout ships have reached Dantooine. They found the remains of a Rebel base, but they estimate that it has been deserted for some time. They're now conducting an extensive search of the surrounding systems."
Although the base was originally intended to be only temporary, more and more facilities were constructed as the Alliance grew. At some point prior to theBattle of Scarif, the pilotRyle Torsyn found an Imperial tracking device hidden in an equipment delivery. Not taking any risks, the device was destroyed and Dantooine base was evacuated,[3] with the headquarters moving to anancient temple onYavin 4, a base already used byJan Dodonna and hisrebel cell.[9] Furthermore, organizersBail Prestor Organa and Mothma had already intended for the Yavin base to be the Alliance's eventual headquarters[10] despite the usage of the Dantooine base. Despite the tracker, the former base on Dantooine was still unknown to the Empire.[3]
Some time later,PrincessLeia Organa ofAlderaan was captured byGrand MoffTarkin, who kept herprisoner on theDeath Star. When Tarkin threatened the princess with destroying herhomeworld if she did not give up the location of the Alliance's base, Organa attempted to fool the Grand Moff by naming Dantooine. Tarkin, however, orderedthe destruction of Alderaan anyway.[1]
An Imperial survey team[4] consisting of severalscout ships[1] and aStar Destroyer, led byCassio Tagge,[2] was dispatched to Dantooine to investigate the princess' claim. Although the Imperials did find the remains of the Alliance base, they rightly estimated that it had been evacuated some time ago and began to scout surroundingstar systems.[1] However, they did captureChelli Lona Aphra, who was searching the base for salvage. Believing her to be trouble, Tagge ordered her execution, but she escaped.[2]
Alderaan in theDatabank(backup link)
Dantooine in theDatabank(backup link)
Star Wars: Andor — "Welcome to the Rebellion"