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Netherlands East Indies
Netherlands East Indies
1945 -1950

In the beginning of 1946 the basis of a new commando parachutist unit was formed by a part of the disbanded No2 (Dutch) Troop and the Korps Insulinde. The Depot Speciale Troepen (green berets), the School Opleiding Parachutisten (red berets), and later the 1st Parachutist company arose independently.
In 1948 The Depot Speciale Troepen was renamed Korps Speciale Troepen. In those days these units executed a number of short missions against the Indonesian republicans and a large-scale operation at Celebes. In 1947 the co-operation between the parachutist companies of red and green berets was effected by the formation of a parachutist battle group. In July 1949 red and green berets were united in the Regiment Speciale Troepen.
DJOKJAKARTA
In December 1948, when the military and the political situation deteriorated drastically, the government ordered to conduct the Tweede Politionele Actie. On 19 December 1948 Dutch commando parachutists were the first, by launching a spectacular airborne operation, at the republican capital Djokjakarta. The entire Indonesian republican government, including President Soekarno, was captured.
CENTRAL SUMATRA
Ten days later, on 29 December 1948, this event was followed by parachuting the battle group over Sumatra and the conquest of the oilfields near Djambi. On 5 January 1949 another hazardous airborne operation was
carried out on the oilfields near Rengat and Ajer Molek at Sumatra. These three airborne operations took place in less than three weeks by the same red and green berets of this battle group. For the last time, on 10 March 1949, the battle group was parachuted over Gading, south-east of Djokjakarta on 27 December 1949.
The political situation changed resulting in the transfer of sovereignty to the Federal Republic of Indonesia. In the spring of 1950 part of the soldiers demobilize in Indonesia. The other part returned to the Netherlands.