Tukhachevsky survives
Purge him before he purges you. The only way the Soviets put up a solid defense that stops the Germans cold is if the POD goes all the way back to the failed Soviet campaign in Poland in 1920. If Tukhachevsky is not in the campaign (Say he's been wounded very early), then no vendetta develops by Stalin against him.
If Yagoda, in 1936, gets wind of the next upcoming series of purges, he can go to Tukhachevsky and tell him he's next.

Actually, he wouldn't be, he'd be two steps down the line. But ultimately it would be the truth. Yezhov, Beria, and Voroshilov of course are 100% complete toadies and would never be brought into such a move. But Yagoda, a toady himself, was also in a near constant state of fear regarding Stalin, and even a rat will fight if cornered. Assuming Tukhachevsky believes him, and he wants to live, a quiet little accident could be arranged. Massive disruption to the Soviet Command structure yes, but no more purges, and continued military development of the Soviet armed forces.
This would mean a dispersed Red Air Force on Barbarossa, a sortied fleet, and a fully mobilized army in field fortifications with a heavy armored reserve. This assumes all outside events are the same as OTL, including the non-aggression pact. Hey, if you were a Soviet leader what would you have done in the face of Chamberlain's actions at Munich? So, the operative question I'm asking is: Tukhachevsky as a Soviet Jaruzelsky? Is it possible? Or ASB?
It's just an idea. Please don't curbstomp me, just tell me why I'm so wrong.
