The weather was atrocious. It rained heavily for much of the battle, turning the ground into a quagmire. This made it difficult for troops to move and fight, and it also caused many trenches to collapse. The rain also made it difficult to see, which gave the Germans an advantage as they were able to use their machine guns to great effect.
The terrain was also very challenging. The battlefield was a mixture of open fields, woods, and villages. This made it difficult for troops to maneuver, and it also provided the Germans with plenty of places to hide.
The fighting was intense and brutal. The Germans were well-prepared and they fought fiercely. The British and French suffered heavy casualties, and many of the men who were wounded died from their injuries due to the lack of medical care.
The Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in human history. Over one million men were killed or wounded, and the battle had a profound impact on both sides.