but why was it muddy? Thats my question, mud has to be caused by moisture, unless there was that much blood, or it rained for a few years straight…
Because that ground was in constant use from men, equipment and animals not to mention the shelling that turns over the earth with every impact. As such, just add a little rain and there’s your mud. I don’t imagine that it’s because the ground itself is blood-soaked (although there were probably places where that did occur).
Look up old WWI trench pics and you’ll probably see a fair number that indicate the conditions at that time, I’m just working off of what I’ve read.
Being muddy depends upon the terrain and time of year.
Flanders has a high water table and a clay layer under the soil which does not drain. Add to that a daily bombardment of shells that prevent plant growth ( which would soak up rainwater ) promotes standing water.