For the Indonesian war of independence, which lasted from 1945 to 1949, the "Depot Speciale Troepen" (DST) was established. The unit was part of the Royal Netherlands Indies Army and saw intense combat throughout the conflict. DST was tasked with conducting counterinsurgency operations and the elimination of Indonesian nationalists, and was headed by Captain Raymond Westerling. The unit conducted numerous successful contraguerrilla operations, while also becoming notorious for its harsh behaviour during the South Sulawesi campaign. This successful military campaign involved the alleged execution of thousands of Indonesian insurgents. In 1948, the unit, then renamed "Korps Speciale Troepen" (KST), participated in Operation Kraai. During this operation, Dutch forces successfully captured Yogyakarta, the temporary capital of the Indonesian Republic. In addition, numerous high-ranking Indonesian leaders, including the Republican President Sukarno, were arrested.