The weaponry on display may look impressive to the visitor - 10 First World War Lee-Enfield rifles hang in cases on either side of the main staircase, flanked by vintage Gatling guns - yet the sad truth is that these antiques are almost the only weapons that the academy has to its name.

They survived the looting that followed the fall of Saddam only because they were so old and useless.

The academy's 31 staff from coalition forces is largely British - NCOs with a bite as bad as their bark and officers working 14-hour days to adapt the syllabus to local needs.

The Iraqi Defence Ministry is "reticent" about providing the college with what it needs, said Capt Kevin Hibbert, 29, the officer in charge of the first year cadets.

"We had no radios, still have no chemical suits and the rifle range is not completed," he said.  "When we began last year, of the first 50 individuals only six had army clothes.  You just have to get on with it."

This week the staff was desperately trying to get hold of thick socks for the cadets to wear for drill so they would not get blisters.

The academy, founded in 1924 by the country's British colonial rulers, is now charged with reviving the glories of yesteryear for the Iraq of the future.

An order has been placed for ceremonial dress so that the cadets can master such important skills as boot polishing.  Plans are also being drawn up for a spectacular passing out parade with the traditional sword of honour shaped like a scimitar.

The cadets are certainly enthusiastic and, at least behind the academy's 20 ft high walls, trumpet their desire to face Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi's al-Qa'eda fighters.

Ambitious recruitment plans have been drawn up to expand the present contingent of 95 students to 450 by the start of next year.

But at a recent weekend break half a dozen cadets arrived home to find letters from the insurgents saying they had learnt what they had been doing.  Not one returned. 

The Iraqi instructors, the men who monitor the young officers day to day and on whom the academy will rely in the future, also say they have received death threats as well.  One has already been killed.

Iraqi trainers and British officers alike admit that it will be at least 18 months before the academy is running effectively.

But the new Iraqi army needs its officers and it wants them now.

The young men who proudly showed off their marching abilities, drill socks or no drill socks, will soon be fighting insurgents.

"Given a fair wind and a bit of luck, we hope we will get a good product," Lt Col Charles Wilson, the acting commander, said.

"Integrity, leadership, courage, discipline.  That is what we are trying to teach them."