Korps Speciale Troepen

Special Forces Corps
Korps Speciale Troepen
Active1948–1950
Disbanded1950
CountryNetherlands
BranchRoyal Netherlands East Indies Army
TypeSpecial forces
RoleAmphibious warfare
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Counterinsurgency
Direct action
Forward air control
HUMINT
Irregular warfare
Jungle warfare
Long-range penetration
Manhunt
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Special operations
Special reconnaissance
Tracking
Urban warfare
Size570
EngagementsIndonesian National Revolution
Commanders
Notable
commanders
See list below

Korps Speciale Troepen (KST; 'Special Forces Corps') was a Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) special forces unit that was established for deployment against the Indonesian revolutionaries during the Indonesian National Revolution. It was formed in 1948 with the Depot Speciale Troepen (DST; 'Special Forces Depot') at its core and disbanded alongside the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in 1950, by which time it had been renamed to the Regiment Speciale Troepen (RST; 'Special Forces Regiment').[1][2] The DST consisted of about 570 men at its establishment in 1945 and had a precursor in the Korps Insulinde ('Insulindia Corps') that conducted clandestine operations during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. In June 1949, 250 men of the 1st Parachute Company were integrated into the Corps. The KST, which would reach a maximum strength of 1250 men, was composed of Dutch war volunteers (OVWs), Eurasians and native soldiers, including Moluccans. The present day Korps Commandotroepen (KCT; 'Commando Corps') of the Royal Netherlands Army is considered a continuation of the RST.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Korps Commandotroepen Factbook" (PDF). Royal Netherlands Army Communication Section Korps Commandotroepen. 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. ^ Conboy 2003, p. 5.