Final answer:
Without specific context on which war the question is referring to, it's difficult to determine who was captured and held as prisoners of war. Treatment of POWs and the practice of exchange have varied historically, influenced by the resources and policies of the captors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question does not provide specific details about which war it is referring to, making it challenging to identify who was captured and held as prisoners of war at the start of the conflict. Throughout history, the treatment and capture of prisoners of war have varied significantly from one conflict to another.
However, referencing the provided information suggests that early in some wars, captured soldiers were sometimes exchanged rather than kept as prisoners. As wars progressed, this practice could change, and prisoners might be kept for durations of the conflict, as seen in scenarios like the American Civil War.
It is important to note that the treatment of prisoners of war has historically depended on several factors, including the resources and policies of the captors. The provided excerpts mention different groups such as special forces, civilians, Japanese Americans, and members of the Women's Army Corps, but without specific context or war reference, it is difficult to directly answer the query.