Who had more POWs during World War One?

Question

Did the Allies or the Central Powers (moreso Germany) take more POWs? What are the raw numbers of POWs taken? Is there a really big diff or was it really close?

Answer 1

Three parts to your question:
1) Wartime- Military:
Central PowersPrisoners or missing 3 629 829
Entente 4 121 090
Advantage, Central powers took more military prisoners by about ½ million men (although the records making the difference between POW and MIA are sketchy at best)
2) Wartime- territorial:
As the central powers invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Belorussia, Serbia & most of european Russia, civilain prisoners of war would allow an overwelming Central Power win in this regards but:
3) As the Entente won the war, liberated their troups, forced the disarmement of the Central powers and militarily occupied them, an Entente total victory can be claimed.

However, during the war, the numbers shown above do indicate a clear Central power advantage concerning POW's and MIA'S .

Answer 2

The Allies were victorious so they took far more prisoners. Hundreds of thousands of axis troops were surrendering, especially towards the end. Many Germans surrendered and were sent to america. (many of them came back to the states after the war) - sorry thought it said WWII.

WWI, the Central powers took far more prisoners, there were far fewer of them, but they inflicted far more casualties upon the Allied side. Russia especially was beaten by the Central powers, many of the Russians were surrendering in mass because of the collapse of their government, and the provisonal government was not able to supply the army.