On the eve of war in Europe, the 1939 Isle of Man TT hosted a group of German riders, some who had been to the island before,sent as part of the Nazi propaganda operation. They were required to become members of the Nazi Party in order to race.
One such rider, Karl Gall from Vienna, crashed his works BMW on the first lap of evening practice on 2nd June while trying to overtake the works Norton rider, Freddie Frith, on the approach to Ballaugh Bridge. He would be taken by ambulance to Ramsey Cottage Hospital with severe head injuries.
Karl Gall died on this day in 1939 from his injuries and the effects of pneumonia while in the hospital.
Rather then pull out of the event, BMW had decided Georg Meier would ride in the Senior TT, which he won, leading from start to finish.
This was the last TT until 1947. England and Germany were at war three months after the race.
At Ballaugh Bridge there is a road-side memorial that commemorates the motorcycle racing career of Karl Gall.