Kubrik Chenkov

Commander Kubrik Chenkov is the Commander of the Valhallan 18th 'Tundra Wolves' Imperial Guard Regiment. Commander Chenkov is one amongst many whose nerve and endurance have won the Valhallans their reputation as being a grim and dogged people who will fight and even die rather than give up territory to an enemy. Because of their stubbornness, Imperial Guard Generals often deploy Valhallans to bolster their lines of defense, knowing that they will hold out where other troops might crumble under the onslaught of a foe's charge.

History
Commander Kubrik Chenkov is a ruthless commander who insists on leading from the front, eschewing safety of a command bunker for the battlelines where he can keep an ever-vigilant eye on his subordinates. Instilling his own draconian brand of motivation and encouragement, his men doggedly obey the grim-faced Commander, knowing that to disobey means certain death. Chenkov has a low opinion of cowards, for if a Guardsman dares retreats within his sight, he will not hesitate to have that coward gunned down by his former comrades. It is even whispered that Chenkov has personally killed more of his own Guardsmen than he has of the enemy. His bolt pistol has earned a fearsome reputation amongst friend and foe alike.

Personality
Like his fellow Valhallans, Commander Chenkov is notoriously stubborn, refusing to admit defeat or acknowledge surrender. Like all Valhallans, Chenkov is dour and obstinate, but few of his comrades are as ruthless or as merciless. He does not employ subtle strategy to win wars, relying instead on blunt, direct tactics. Knowing that he has tens of thousands of troops at his disposal, Chenkov will not hesitate to throw away mens' lives in order to obtain his objectives. He believes that any opponent can be overcome if one is willing to go through enough manpower. Although an unimaginative commander, Chenkov's tactics are doubtlessly effective. In one year-long siege, Chenkov assumed command, and through his actions brought a swift, if bloody end to the conflict. He stormed a heavily defended citadel without benefit of armoured support or dedicated siege weapons. In another instance, he had platoons of Guardsmen draw enemy fire, to prevent the valued demolition crews attempting to breach an enemy battle-fortress from being discovered. During one notorious action, when an advance of Leman Russ Battle Tanks were slowed by enemy mines, Chenkov used his own troops to clear the explosives by marching them across the minefields. Commander Chankov's ruthless command style continues to win the Imperium many victories and though the cost is high, the price of failure is intolerable.

Source

 * Codex: Imperial Army (2nd Edition), p. 88
 * Codex: Imperial Army (5th Edition), p. 65