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While rereading Hatcher's, "Book of the Garand," an entry was somewhat disconcerting. On Page 244, Paragraph 6 you'll find:
"Eighteen telescope-sighted Garands came ashore with the 5th Marine Regiment when it landed at Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. These were at a premium, as they were most useful for the snipers. Jap swimming holes and river crossings were ideal spots to watch, from any point not over 600 to 700 yards away. The Japs could not believe that a kill at 700 yards was anything but accidental, so that the same spot could profitably be watched three or more times a week. One can and may become accustomed to close misses, but I have yet to find a soldier or anyone else who can get used to hits."
This statement was given to Maj. Gen. J. Hatcher by Col. Whaling, USMC.
I don't find any documents to support that scope sighted Garands were available in 1942; yet alone eighteen of them. Was Hatcher, or in this case, Col. Whaling wrong?
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