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On arrival in Donington Hall, Pluschow wondered if he would ever escape Great Britain. The camp was for officers only, and therefore it was very well guarded. It had two 6ft high barbed wire fences. These also had an electrified wire running around the inner fence, deep and complicated wire entanglements in between the fences.There was an outer Guardhouse overlooking the main road, and the nearest town and railway station was a few miles away.

The camp itself had a low height watch tower, a few searchlights, and open country, except for the trees surrounding the estate. Donington Hall was formerly a stately home. (It is now the HQ of British Midland Airways.) The officers were housed in the main building, and their servants had quarters in the wooden huts.

Pluschow at first enjoyed the comradeship of his fellow officers. He met old acquaintances from Tsingtao, and enjoyed playing hockey in the stately grounds. Already a very muscular and fit man, he became even fitter. However, one afternoon Pluschow was lying on the grass dreaming of home, when suddenly he heard and saw a plane flying over head. He soon became resolved to try to escape.

Previously, he had spotted a deer that had managed to penetrate the camps defences by struggling through both sets of wires at a particular point. This weak spot he also noted was not easily observed by the watchtower, especially during heavy rain. Its internal wire entanglements were also weaker, perhaps due to an oversight by the builders. With some good protective clothing it might be possible to scale these fences.

Over the next few weeks Pluschow pumped a Guard about the distance and direction of the local railway station (Derby) and managed to obtain some civilian clothing.