The Eastern Command Line followed the path of the River Colne from its estuary at Mersea Island to Wakes Colne during World War Two. However, at Fordstreet the line appears, unusually, to have left the river for a short distance. An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows the clear markings of a filled-in anti-tank ditch skirting the southern edge of the village from the river on the W side to the river on the E. It leaves the river at TL 9171 2698, crosses two fields southeastwards to the road at TL 9189 2674, and then crosses E round the side of Cummins Farm to TL 9214 2679 where it meets Fordstreet Hill road. On the E side of the road it skirts a small field before rejoining the river at TL 9228 2687.<1>

Contemporary records state,"A/T ditch and 6 pillboxes. Hill and Cummins Farms, Aldham, O.S. Nos. 50, 51, 64, 68, 69, 44, 42. Map ref. 370450" (Mil. Ed.) and "A/T ditch. The Old House, Fordstreet, O.S. No. 51 adj. S bank of R. Colne. Map ref. 366453" (Mil. Ed.). In addition, there are two records for the barriers where the ditch crossed the two roads (SMR 10977/MCC5117 and SMR 10978/MCC5118).<2>

On the ground, the rationale is very clear. Fordstreet is overlooked by a very high hill on its south side. The anti-tank ditch followed the foot of the hill, dominated by pillboxes, and presumably other defensive positions, on the hillside above.

See also <3>.