Build up of forces and materiel for what become the Battle of the Bulge?
Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!
As Herr Scharf correctly pointed out, the notation around those units shows “replenishment.” The units are 1st and 12th SS Panzer and Panzer Lehr divisions. Parts of 1st and 12th SS Panzer are still identified on the line in the Ardennes, which causes me to believe that the map notation is administrative. But the most important item on the map selection is “AOK 6.” This is the first appearance on the German map of the 6th Panzer Army, sometimes known as 6th SS Panzer Army, although I don’t think it was ever officially known as such.
As a consequence of the stalemate in the west, for the last time in the war Hitler has the luxury of being able to pull units out of the line to assmble a strategic reserve. So far it’s only three panzer divisions. These units will play key roles in the Ardennes Offensive almost exactly two months from from now. And there will be more of them.
Today we see for the first time the seeds of that offensive, which were planted in the fertile soil of the Scheldt Estuary.