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On a stormy night in May 1915, Pluschow and his accomplice, Trefftz - a fellow Naval officer who spoke English - took a slow walk around the garden outside Donington Hall. They were carrying umbrellas, and were accompanied by several other officers. Just before it was time to go inside, they hid inside the grotto, near the edge of the fence. The rain was very heavy, a typically heavy summer rainstorm, and the guards did not spot them.

At 11.00pm they heard a loud cheer from the main hall where they slept. This meant that the plan to deceive the night roll call had worked. At 12.30pm just after the Guards had been changed, Pluschow crept out of cover and approached the electrified fence. Using a ladder, and carrying some wooden planks, he carefully climbed the electrified wire fence, entanglements and outer fence, followed by Trefftz. Despite being badly cut and scratched by the barbs, Pluschow and Trefftz were soon outside. They quickly made it past the Gatehouse, crossing streams, jumping short stone walls, and walking blind through dense woods to the unlit open road. Getting his bearings by feeling a signpost with his hands, Trefftz determined the direction of Derby.

Shortly after they began they noticed a Sergeant from the camp walking towards them. They dodged into a ditch and pretended to be lovers as the unsuspecting Sergeant walked by. A few miles later Two pedestrians passed them while the hid in another ditch. Each time a headlight appeared they ducked into the ditch or over a wall to avoid being spotted.

By early morning they had reached Derby. They used a Garden shed to clean themselves up, have a shave, and prepare to walk to the Railway station, where they split up and travelled separately to London, planning to meet on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral.