What information is a prisoner of war required to provide when questioned, as per Article 5?

A prisoner of war is required to provide only specific information when questioned, which includes their name, rank, service number, and date of birth, according to Article 5. This provision is rooted in the Geneva Conventions, which are designed to protect the rights of detainees and ensure humane treatment. The rationale behind this limited scope of required information is to balance the needs for identification and safe treatment of prisoners while safeguarding sensitive military information that could compromise security or put lives at risk.

The focus on basic identification details helps establish the individual's identity without delving into operational details that could be exploited by the enemy. Other suggested information categories, such as service history, mission details, personal achievements, or details about fellow soldiers, go beyond what is mandated and could lead to unintentional risks to military operations or the safety of comrades in arms.