WI Stalin Dies in 1939-1941?

When would be the worst time for the Soviet Union for Josef Stalin to die? I'm guessing that it would be some time between 1939 and 1941. What would be the effects be for the SU, and how would the war progress? Would the absence of Stalin doom the Soviet Union to German aggression?
 
If Stalin dies in the middle of the German invasion it could lead to a serious mix-up, but on the other hand the various high-level people within the SU might decide to put aside their differences and work together until the German threat is gone. On the other hand, an earlier death of Stalin could mean the instability is resolved before Barbarossa, or it could result in their being a full-out power struggle/civil war that makes the German invasion much easier.

Really kind of a toss-up depending on the psychology of the people fighting to become the next ruler of the USSR and how they react to the circumstances.
 
Sep. 30, 1941 to November 30, 1941 would be the time, although October 16, 1941 would be bull eye hit. Nazi broke through Soviet frontline Sep. 30, 1941 and situation in Moscow October 16-17, 1941 is best described by two words - anarchy and pandemonium. Stalin, for all his sins, could be credited with organizing Soviet leadership to overcome it. With him dying Oct. 17, Soviets will likely lose a week or so organizing new executive hierarchy, and by the time they're done it could be too late. Nazi occupation of Moscow will not lead to immediate disintegration of the Soviet Union, but will be bloody painful, with Moscow being not only "spiritual" center of the country, so to speak, but by far biggest transport intersection and industrial area as well.
 
Sep. 30, 1941 to November 30, 1941 would be the time, although October 16, 1941 would be bull eye hit. Nazi broke through Soviet frontline Sep. 30, 1941 and situation in Moscow October 16-17, 1941 is best described by two words - anarchy and pandemonium. Stalin, for all his sins, could be credited with organizing Soviet leadership to overcome it. With him dying Oct. 17, Soviets will likely lose a week or so organizing new executive hierarchy, and by the time they're done it could be too late. Nazi occupation of Moscow will not lead to immediate disintegration of the Soviet Union, but will be bloody painful, with Moscow being not only "spiritual" center of the country, so to speak, but by far biggest transport intersection and industrial area as well.

Not to mention this would make securing the Baku Oil fields much easier.
 
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