I have a reference that the RFC dropped its first bombs in anger on 29.8.1914, and routine orders were issued on 31.8.1914 that incendiary bombs (a gallon of petrol carried in a streamlined canister which ignited on impact with the ground, according to McCudden)and grenades were to be carried on recce sorties from then on. On 1.9.1914 two bombs were dropped on German cavalry north of Villers-Cotterets.
Can anyone provide any details of who did the bombing ?
Also, McCudden mentions a red painted 10 lb shrapnel bomb, with a small parachute attached to it to provide directional stability, which was issued to 3 Squadron at about the same time (September 1914 ?) as the French 155 mm Melinite converted artillery shell bomb. I can find no reference to the British producing the 10 lb shrapnel bomb: was it French ?