In 1930 a small airfield was established to service aircraft using the offshore sandbanks for target practice.
In 1939 the coast was again threatened by foreign raiders and Bradwell was placed in the front line of defence.
In 1941 Bradwell Bay was enlarged into a full airfield and was used as a fighter base for the remainder of he war.
The first squadron to use the airfield was 418 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force. During the war Bradwell was home to 25 different squadrons flying Boston's , Mosquitos, Beuafighters,Typhonns,Tempests,Hurricanes, Spitfires,Mustang, Warwick and Walrus aircraft.
The Bradwell pubs echoed to the voices of Canadians, Australians and Czechs who all came to know this quiet corner of Essex.
At the end of the ward Bradwell Bay was closed and returned to agriculture .