 The regular French Army in Paris, under General Trochu's command, had only 50,000 professional soldiers of the line; the majority of the French first-line soldiers were prisoners of war, or trapped in Metz, surrounded by Germans.The regulars were thus supported by around 5,000 firemen, 3,000 gendarmes, and 15,000 sailors.The regulars were also supported by the "Garde Mobile", new recruits with little training or experience.