 During the Second World War the airfield sited to the north-east of Bradwell Waterside was a front-line station, and named RAF Bradwell Bay.Prior to this conflict a small grass airfield was sited there for refuelling and re-arming the aircraft used by pilots practising shooting and bombing at the ranges on nearby Dengie Marshes.In 1941 the airfield was enlarged, swallowing up the pre-war grass landing ground, and three concrete runways were laid down.