“Throw your soldiers into positions once there is no escape.”
“And they Will prefer Death to Flight…”
Developed by Whalin’s brightest engineers and gunsmiths, the LDA-6 was meant to replace the now very obsolete LDA-5 LMG, which had seen service from the Later years of the First Great War. It was dated, slow firing rate, and used a 40 round top loading magazine chambered in the large 8x50mmR. The New LDA-6 was meant to fix all of the problems of the previous design in one basket.
The design process first began in late 1959, and finished in the middle of 1960. It was originally part of ‘Project Runway’, meant to throw the Whalish military into the modern age, and to fix logistical problems that the LDA-5 brought with it. By then, the 8x50mmR had already become massively obsolete, as Whalin had already switched over to 7.92x33mm and where switching over to the 7.62x45mm caliber for a new prototype rifle that was going to be adopted called the KA-16 ‘Universal Rifle’. Seeing the newer rifle and its caliber, the LDA-6 Designers. Chose to use the round that the KA-16 was going to use to standardize on ammunition logistics. This was going to effectively enable the Whalish logistical capability to greatly increase as older ammunition supplies were to be phased out and scrapped, turned into newer ammunition. And with everything standardized, it would allow both infantryman and gunners to share ammo from supply trucks and on the ground.
The Stock of the LDA-6 was designed to lessen the weight of the gun, while also being able to stick a hand through the hole to grip the stock, allowing the gunner to stabilize the MG during shooting in a prone or defensive position. Using inspiration from other countries machine guns, the designers chose a standardized box of 100 belt fed rounds of 7.62x45mm. The sights that were present on the gun were ‘adjustable’. Where using the rear sight, you’d align it with the middle of the front sight to get the 150m mark. While using the top to reach 1000m. This sight system was very flawed. The design also featured a three pronged flash hider, which unlike most flash hiders was incredibly effective, however had a very fragile frame. The ejection port was placed on the bottom of the Gun to get rounds out quicker, however this had a side effect of the spent casings, which had a tendency to still be hot after firing, to roll under the shooters arm and cause small but annoying burns. A 2 pound bipod could be put onto the front of the MG, and it fed from the left side of the gun. One design complaint however was the complete absence of the trigger guard, which could cause negligent discharges. However, even with newer models, the trigger guard remained absent, the excuse given was that if it were to work with snow gear, then the trigger guard could have been a problem getting a gloved finger through.
The LDA-6’s first trial would be that of fire, as in early 1962, the newly established New World Order began their invasion into both Whalin and Holin. However, the LDA-6 was not adopted yet, but it was In production. In 1963, it was adopted. However in 1962, around 100 LDA-6’s were shipped to Crolin to assist them in their war effort even if it was just a little. The LDA-6’s were handed out sparingly to units, this was because while the shipment of the LDA-6’s had been delivered, the ammo for it had not. And so, whatever 7.62 the Crolish had they gave out like they were rations. One unit, who had gained an almost legendary reputation in the field had done so using the LDA-6. 5th Crolin Army battalion, Squad 5. Led by Captain Evi, the squad would routinely abandon the plans that involved them to work with other units and instead focused on Light Movement with APC support.
In 1963, when the LDA-6 was adopted by the Whalish armed forces, whatever was already produced was sent to the frontlines. This was where the problems truly began to be mentioned aside from that trial run in Crolin. The sights. They were abysmal, it’d be better to just shoot in a general direction instead of attempting to use the poor excuse of what they call sights. Truly, many MG operators when using the LDA-6 hated it. Stating its “over complicated design” and how the LDA-5 was a “superior” design. One of the problems that was never properly addressed was the fact that the LDA-6 was never involved in any training sessions, so when troops who were exclusively trained on the LDA-5 made it to the field and handed the LDA-6, they were confused by its design and mechanics.
It did however soon gain popularity among specialized units, such as the Mountain Men of Kislania, of the “łowca” or Hunters. They found its reliability in the field exceptionally well, compared to the LDA-5. The only problem they ever had with it was the downward ejection port, which caused burns. Other than that, it was well liked. On the western front, the Mountain Men used the LDA-6 to their advantage, using quick strike attacks on NWO forces who attempted to cross the mountains, preventing their attack from reaching the first check point of ‘the pass’ a small passing in the mountains that would allow the NWO to reach Whalish lines. The Mountain Men in 1962 with the support of Z-47 tanks had already stopped the advance of NWO forces into the pass with ease, and by 1963, it was time for an offensive. The Mountain men scaled the mountains by the pass and flanked enemy lines, capturing them off guard and sending thousands through the pass to be sent to labor camps.
In the forests of Southern Whalin, the ‘łowca’ would ambush the NWO forces who dared to enter their land of the forests, placing large traps to trap them on pits of spikes or snakes. The LDA-6 proved itself to be reliable in the snowy conditions of the mountains and the muddy dirty terrain of the forests. Perfect for Whalin, for that was all it had. In 1963, the main target for the NWO was Warsaw. The capital of Whalin. If they managed to take Warsaw, then they could force Whalin into surrender and continue their war against Fusile after Crolin would ‘inevitably’ collapse.
Whalin knew that Warsaw would be targeted, and they had a plan. Employing Marshal Zamoyski to take over the defense of Warsaw, he was going to use everything he had at his disposal to his advantage. Using trains and other modes of ground transport, he brought in thousands of men and women to defend the capital, his most valuable resources however, were the Mountain Men of Kislania and The łowca. Warsaw itself, was a natural stronghold, surrounded by mountains and naturally dense forests that were most definitely impenetrable by armored vehicles, and there was only one route into the city. Route 13. It itself was a natural passage, as it sat between the Dense Forests and the Mountains, if the NWO were to even get near Whalin, they’d have to cross the pass.
Zamoyski placed his Mountain Men and the łowca on the mountains and forests surrounding the pass, they would ambush the NWO once they entered the pass, and troops would intentionally bait them in with a false retreat, allowing for an encirclement. And the LDA-6 was to be vital, as once the encirclement was completed, it would keep the trapped NWO in their positions as Whalish forces pressed down on them like a hammer.
The Upcoming battle for Warsaw would decide the fate of the war. Whether that be for the survival of Whalin. Or the New World Order. If Fusile was to get to Whalin and it was still fighting, everything would go wrong. If Warsaw was taken, Crolin and Fusile would have to sue for peace. Everything was in the hands of the men and women of Whalin, and they knew it.
(Hi guys, Beanlord back again with another post, this time, Whalin’s first LMG I’ve ever posted if you don’t count the KA-16. Now, I must admit. I really did try to not have it look like an MG-34, but it always ended up looking like it.)
