March 1996: A linear feature appearing as a back-filled ditch on early vertical photography (RAF). A WWII date for the feature is likely as it breaks through existing hedgerows and field boundaries and also appears to loop around pill boxes. The site looks similar to the tank trap which was built around Chelmsford. The site has subsequently been destroyed by residential development. <1>-<5>

August 2002: During World War Two Colchester was encircled by considerable defences against attack by enemy armour. It became, in effect, an anti-tank island. The Eastern Command Line followed the path of the River Colne around the town’s eastern and northern flanks, protected by around 60 pillboxes and anti-tank barriers. To guard against an attack from the west and south the ancient ramparts of Lexden Dyke were used and when this petered out an anti-tank ditch was dug, 3.5 miles long.

The defence line probably rose from its junction with the Eastern Command Line on the River Colne at TL 9746 2555. Heading southwards across Cymbeline Way and Lexden Road, the line is reported to have used the ramparts of Lexden Dyke as a ready-made anti-tank barrier <6>. This is supported by the siting of known pillboxes and the existence of surviving anti-tank blocks in Lexden Park, although no pillboxes have been traced between those at Cymbeline Way (SMR 10938) and Bluebottle Grove (SMR 20525). The line then followed Bluebottle Grove to its S end at TL 9762 2428 where the main construction of the anti-tank ditch began. The ditch was probably up to 20 feet wide and 8/12 feet deep.

Heading south-eastwards, the line crossed Shrub End Road via a road barrier at TL 9793 2391. Continuing southwards to TL 9793 2367 and then TL 9807 2287, it crossed Layer Road via another road barrier. Turning eastwards, Berechurch Road was crossed at TL 9919 2278 and, nearly a mile further on, Mersea Road was crossed at TM 0050 2297. Like many of the road crossings, this junction was heavily defended by pillboxes and spigot mortars. The ditch then continued across Middlewick Ranges to Old Heath Road which it crossed at TM 0162 2301 just N of The Bell public house. From here to its junction once more with the River Colne the path followed drains, water courses and finally the sludge lagoons of the sewage works which lay alongside the river.

Throughout the length of the line, some 4.5 miles, pillboxes were sited every 200 / 300 yards. 24 have been traced by the World War Two Defences in Essex project although there were undoubtably more.

In addition to those along the main defence line, around half a mile outside the line eleven pillboxes have been traced covering the major road approaches into the town.

Coming off at a tangent from the main defence line, research has revealed a subsidiary line which stretched northwards from the junction of Shrub End Road and what is now Norman Way, at TL 9794 2392. This ran to the former Sheepen Farm Estate to join the river further eastwards than the main line. A continual run of pillboxes and road barriers has been recorded along this stretch. It is clear that no anti-tank ditch was dug but contemporary records list “tubular steel scaffolding”, a commonly-used anti-tank fencing barrier. <7>