Escape
from
Japan
Planning the Escape from Donington Hall
Escape from Mainland Britain - London Sojourn
Suspected of being a Spy in Germany
Pluschow had to travel to San Francisco via Nagasaki, where the ship would dock to take on coal. Here the ship would be thoroughly searched, because Pluschow was a wanted man, well-known to the Japanese military who had fought him over the cold skies of Kiaochow Bay and Tsingtao.
In 1914 aviators were like pop-stars. Gunther Pluschow's exploits over the skies of Tsingtao were a useful propaganda tool to the German war effort. The 'Dragon Pilot', as the Chinese had called him, had already achieved a hero status, and his whereabouts was of interest to everyone. His capture would be a great prize to any of the Entente nations. America at this point was still neutral, and if Pluschow could make it to the United States, he would in a position to escape to Germany.
Pluschow's steamship arrived at Nagasaki to coal. During the docking, the ship was searched by the Japanese Authorities, specifically looking for one 'Gunther Pluschow, escaped German Aviator of Tsingtao'. Kempei Tai (Japanese Secret Service) Agents entered the ship with a Medical Examiner.
The other Germans who had been captured by the Japanese at Tsingtao had been given the freedom of Nagasaki, and unlike World War II, were treated as guests able to roam freely in the day, before retiring to their pleasant hotels and quarters at night. Pluschow had only capture to fear, but that was still enough. Pluschow's plan was to play sick.
Pluschow quickly developed a high and very contagious fever. An American Doctor aboard was called to his bedside. The Doctor was informed by Pluschow of his predicament. Thus during the search, the American Doctor was only too willing to inform the Japanese Medical Examiner that this was not the man they were looking for and it was better not to examine him too closely. Fearful of catching this horrible and very contagious fever, the Japanese authorities left without questioning the Swiss Salesman.
The steamship left Nagasaki for Honolulu, in the Hawaiian Islands. On the way Pluschow made many new friends, and lost his disguise. He made friends with American businessmen who offered him employment in America, telling him that it was pointless to return to Germany, as they were convinced it would be defeated within months. Pluschow refused, but accepted the businessman's hospitality.
Upon reaching Honolulu Pluschow's ship moored alongside a German Destroyer or small Cruiser, called the Goeben. Here he dined with the officers and they exchanged stories of their escape from China. Unfortunately the Goeben had been blockaded in Honolulu by the Royal Navy and had become interned.
Pluschow left Honolulu and sailed on to San Francisco and neutral America. Hopefully from here he would be able to make it home.