 The Germans hoped to follow up their attacks on the West Midlands after a highly effective raid against Coventry on 14 November 1940.Pathfinders from "Kampfgruppe" 100 (Battle Group 100) led 369 aircraft from "Kampfgeschwader" 26 (KG 26—Bomber Wing 26), "Kampfgeschwader" 54 (KG 54), "Kampfgeschwader" 55 (KG 55) to the city.Cunningham took off this night from RAF Middle Wallop in Hampshire to patrol north of London.