A Wartime Photo of a KC & Oak Leaves Recipient; Christmas 1944

A photo, measuring 84x130mm, extremely fine condition. It shows two soldiers arm in arm, one of which seems to have fallen asleep with his head on the shoulder of the other. The sleeping soldier is an Oberfeldwebel (Senior Sergeant). He wears a Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, as well as a Close Combat Clasp in Bronze and an Infantry Assault Badge. His comrade wears an Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon and DRL Sports Badge. On the reverse, the photo has been dated to Christmas 1944. The men belong to the Battalion Gep. (Armored?) St. (Staff?) II. of Grenadier Regiment 948, part of the 359th Infantry Division. At the time they were stationed in Wesola, 20 kms east of Tarnów (modern day southern Poland).