Following the outbreak of the
First World War, Plugge volunteered for the
New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). A
major in the Territorial Force, he was promoted to
lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the
Auckland Infantry Battalion, which was formed from one company each of four territorial regiments and had the first serial number, 12/1, on its roll. He was not particularly popular as a commander, being regarded as an amiable but weak leader, and reportedly favoured the company drawn from his territorial regiment.
Gallipoli Plugge's battalion arrived in Egypt on 3 December 1914 and from there were the first New Zealand troops to
land at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915. Upon landing, Plugge positioned his battalion headquarters at the top of a hill just inshore from the Cove. The hill was consequently given the name Plugge's Plateau by the invading troops, and after the war,
Plugge's Plateau Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery was established on the hilltop. During the day's action, Plugge was lightly wounded in the wrist by a shell fragment. He was wounded again a few weeks later on 8 May, during the
Second Battle of Krithia. For his work during the landings of 25 April, he was
mentioned in despatches for the first time when General Ian Hamilton's report of 20 May was published in
The London Gazette. Plugge was evacuated to
Malta for medical treatment, and here he contracted
malaria which necessitated his transfer to England for treatment. After recovering his health, he was returned to his command in Gallipoli, leading his battalion during the evacuation from the peninsula. He was again
mentioned in despatches and appointed to the
Order of St Michael and St George in October 1915, for his services during the Gallipoli campaign.
Western Front boxing championships held in Doulieu, France When the
New Zealand Division was being formed in early 1916 in Egypt, following the conclusion of the
Gallipoli Campaign, Plugge was made commander of the 1st Auckland Infantry Battalion, which was part of the 1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade. The New Zealand Division proceeded to the Western Front and in September, Plugge led the battalion during the
Battle of the Somme. At the end of the year, following a reorganisation of the division, he was removed from his command by the divisional commander,
Major General Andrew Russell. Russell was unhappy with Plugge's performance as a battalion commander; his command had a high desertion rate relative to other units of the New Zealand Division. In light of his Gallipoli service, Plugge was not returned to New Zealand. Instead, he was allowed to remain with the division as its sports coordinator. The commander of the NZEF, Lieutenant General
Alexander Godley believed that Plugge became a negative influence within the New Zealand Division as a result of being overlooked for a brigade command. Regardless, it transpired that Plugge excelled in his new role. Russell recognised the importance of sport for the morale and well-being of the soldiers under his command and Plugge promoted participation in organised sporting events. He remained in the position until he was discharged from the NZEF on 18 June 1918. ==Later life==