Geography also played a very important role in this problem. North Africa was generally dry and flat and units could engage one another at maximum range. The M3 GMC and M10 tank destroyers in North Africa had high silhouettes and were an easier target than towed cannons, which were dug in and often camouflaged. By contrast, the Western European front was peppered with towns, forests, bocage, hills and gullies, and farmland, as well as rain, snow and fog to reduce visibility. Engagements were thus at a closer range than in North Africa, which made towed units more vulnerable, especially to small arms fire from infantry units accompanying armor.