| Special Forces Corps | |
|---|---|
| Korps Speciale Troepen | |
 | |
| Active | 1948–1950 |
| Disbanded | 1950 |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Branch | Royal Netherlands East Indies Army |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Amphibious 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 |
| Size | 570 |
| Engagements | Indonesian 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]
- ^ a b "Korps Commandotroepen Factbook" (PDF). Royal Netherlands Army Communication Section Korps Commandotroepen. 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ Conboy 2003, p. 5.