There were no wh40k RTS prior to Dow but there were some turn based - final liberation maybe?
Thanks but that has primitive graphics whilst the one I remember had proper graphics much like Dawn of War.. The scenery had lots of hills usually with a structure on top and movement was confined to valleys. Skull probes played a large role. I think it was turn based. You could choose your race. I think it was before DOW unless DOW went through some massive changes.