RAF crew write 'love from Manchester' on bomb for ISIS

Armourers in the UK's Royal Air Force scrawled the message "love from Manchester" on a bomb meant for air strikes against the Islamic State terror group following the concert attack, according to a media report.

A photograph, which has been widely shared on social media, showed the message "love from Manchester" on a Paveway IV bomb loaded on a British jet carrying out air strikes from Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri in Cyprus, The Telegraph reported.

An RAF spokesperson confirmed that the photo was genuine.

"The sentiment of the message written on the weapon is understandable and such writing has history in the RAF, so the individual concerned will not be taken to task," a source was quoted as saying. The report comes days after suicide bomber Salman Abedi blew himself up at a concert by pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena last week, killing 22 people and 119 injured.

Children as young as eight and parents were among the dead after thousands of fans were targeted as they left the gig on Monday.

Writing messages on bombs has become a tradition since the Second World War, where it is believed to have originated. British and US airmen would use chalk to write taunts on the side of the explosives, often directed at Adolf Hitler. Examples included 'Happy Easter to Adolph', 'Run, Rommel! Run!' and 'May this be your last Rising Sun', referring to Japan.

Decorating weapons became commonplace throughout the military, with soldiers often etching messages on their rifles or helmets, sometimes aiming insults at the enemy or referring to their national pride and home towns.