I have researched extensively but may not be asking the right question. I am interested in learning how military forces were asked to deal with the death of their comrades immediately after the fact during WWII, with the understanding that answers could (should?) vary by culture. In particular, I am interested in knowing about America/Germany/Russia -- bonus points for info on smaller players that vary by any degree of significance from the others.
My only frame of reference is my own experience through multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. When a member of our company was killed, our Senior NCO or company commander would brief us within 24 hours. We would be given 2 minutes following the announcement to pay respects silently, collect ourselves, and get back to work (so to speak). A ceremony/vigil was usually arranged as early as a week to as late as 3 months later, as mission parameters permitted.
Of course, the garrisoned environment we know/enjoy today varies significantly from the garrisoned battlefront conditions troops knew during WWII. Can anyone offer insight into how different countries/cultures dealt with the death of their comrades within the first 24 hours of their demise?