KCT

Royal Netherlands Army’s special forces, Korps Commandotroepen, is one of three principal units, specialized in special operations in the Netherlands along with Maritime Special Operations Forces and Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten. The KCT can be deployed to anywhere in the world, under any situation to conduct various special operations, such as counter-terrorism. They have been active since 1942 and their primary roles are direct actions, military assistance and special reconnaissance. Their garrison is located in Roosendaal.

The history of KCT dates back to World War 2. The first Dutch commandos were trained in Scotland, as a part of Inter-Allied Commando, under the name 2nd Dutch Troop. The unit was created in 1942, with the goal to conduct special operations, that were too difficult or extremely dangerous for normal military units. Later the unit was disbanded in 1945, but some of its members continued fighting in the Dutch East Indies and others founded Stormschool, which later the Stormschool relocated itself and now serves the garrison to KCT in Roosendaal.

Korps Insulinde conducted missions, such as guerilla warfare, in Sumatra against the Japanese and later was tasked with rescue of Prisoners of War. In 1945, the unit was disbanded and its operatives joined with Depot Speciale Troepen and former soldiers of 2nd Dutch Troop founded Regiment Speciale Troepen. The newly founded unit conducted operations during the Indonesian independence wars, after World War 2 and after Indonesia’s independence was acknowledged by the Dutch government in 1949, they came back to Netherlands. In 1950 the unit merged with the Stormschool to create the current Korps Commandotroepen.

There were many changes after the Fall of Berlin Wall. With the threat of Cold War, many conflicts and situations rose throughout the world, which changed the organization and the capacity of the armed forces. After the 9/11 incident, terrorism has become greatest threat internationally and the demand for specialist counter-terrorism units, which could operate beyond borders, was high. Thus the KCT’s old Commando Forces Reconnaissance role was changed to a modern and versatile Commando Special Operations. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and Afghanistan provided new insights and experiences, as well as knowledge. It has four independent Commando companies (103, 104, 105 and 108), a staff company and training company.

‘’Nunc aut Nunquam’’

(Now or never)