Quote Originally Posted by Presley Cannady View Post
Assuming...

1. that the vast majority of detainees captured on battlefield are discovered to be worthless as intelligence assets in short order, and
2. detaining fighters doesn't do much to dent the enemy's manpower...
Very odd and mostly wrong assumptions. Irregular warfare requires effective methods of detention and exploitation. Not having them is a sever disadvantage.

...why bother maintaining them in the first place? Why not release them with some provisions to help them on their way home?
because they will see you as a weak enemy and not fear trying to kill you again.