V for Victory

Yes, that's a finger symbol for Victory, what were you thinking? During World War Two, the V sign (palm in OR out) was popularized by Winston Churchill as a symbol of encouragement, optimism and patriotism. Trust me.

Churchill gives his famous V sign, Bradford, England, 1942. Source

An Indian soldier gives the Victory V from a ship's porthole, and "his 'V' is backed by a million Indian troops and the rest of the Empire as well." Singapore, 1941. Source

Soldiers on leave flash V signs as their train prepares to leave, Melbourne, 1943. Source

It works well in drawn form, too. An Australian soldier holding [something?] with a V for Victory. Source

Giant Vs for Victory in Rockefeller Plaza, NYC, 1943. Source

American servicemen wave and give V signs to the camera as their troopship arrives in England, 1944. Source

Another Churchill V, this one to cheering troops on a ship, 1943. Source

A member of a navy mine disposal party gives the V sign while sitting atop a mine, Scotland. Source

Australian troops giving V for Victory signs, 1941. Source

Dock workers giving V signs and thumbs up as they eat American canned food at a canteen in London, 1941. Source

Dwight Eisenhower holds two pencils in a V for Victory after the signing of the German surrender papers, 1945. Source

RAF squadron leader J A F McLachlan lost an arm when shot down in  February 1941; by that summer, equipped with an artificial limb, he was up in the air again. He flashes a V sign to the personal emblem painted on his Hurricane-- his amputated arm returning the V. Source