Escape
from
Mainland
Britain
Planning the Escape from Donington Hall
Escape from Mainland Britain - London Sojourn
Suspected of being a Spy in Germany
Pluschow was running out of time and money. He needed a quick way out of Britain or he would have to give himself up. Luckily, whilst travelling on a bus he overheard Two gentlemen talking about the departure times and location of the Ferries running between Tilbury/Gravesend and Flushing, in neutral Holland.
Pluschow quickly made a trip by train to Gravesend where he was able to see for himself the SS Mecklenberg, and the SS Princess Juliana, docking out in the harbour. Pluschow had one problem. In order to board the ferry and make his escape he couldn't simply walk up the gangplank or board the boat that took the passengers to the ferry. Each pier had a British soldier guarding it day and night. Everyone's papers were checked, particularly since they were looking for an escaped POW. Pluschow would have to board secretly.
Pluschow looked around, and noticed that a few rowing boats were available and might be borrowed to take him to the mooring buoy. Each night he decided he would make an attempt to steal the boat and row to the mooring buoy.
On his first attempt he was dragged downstream when the rowing boat broke on the rip tide, and only just managed to struggle to shore. He made a den amongst the rubbish piles on the side of the Thames and dried his clothes.
His second attempt nearly ended up being captured. His rowing boat became grounded and cut off not far from a bridge containing a soldier. Luckily the guard wasn't very observant in the darkness, and using his oars and pieces of wood, Pluschow managed to struggle across the wet boggy sands back to shore. Covered in mud and slime he cleaned himself down back at his den.
Pluschow by now was thoroughly discouraged. He spent his final pennies on a Music Hall show thinking it might cheer him up. Instead the show turned out to be British propaganda, showing how the German 'Hun' killed nurses, women and children as they marched through Belgium, and how the glorious British Army would defeat these Hunnish bullies. Pluschow left the Music Hall filled with even greater determination to escape Britain.
He went to Gravesend, where he spotted a rowing boat in a deserted area, up river from some fishing folk. Pluschow stole the boat, and carefully drifted by the fishing folk, heading for the mooring buoy where he knew that the Princess Juliana would moor next evening. The rip tide was very strong, and he nearly became exhausted trying not to get caught by the strong current. He sailed under a pontoon bridge, was challenged as 'friend or foe' and was shot at by a Guard, as he rowed vigorously downstream.
Eventually he made it to the shoreline, mooring his boat under a bridge, and taking cover in the tall grass. Here he would spent nearly 24 hours waiting for nightfall, and the ferry.
As night fell, the Princess Juliana could be seen clearly at the mooring buoy. Pluschow rowed out to her, vigourously paddling with one oar before climbing onto the buoy and kicking away the rowing boat. Nearly exhausted he climbed the huge steel chain until he dropped gently onto the ships deck. Then, avoiding two guards, he took refuge under the cover of a lifeboat.
Next morning he awoke to find himself in Flushing, Holland, a free man.