| Kyösti Karhila | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Kössi |
| Born | May 2, 1921 Rauma, Finland |
| Died | September 16, 2009 (aged 88) Helsinki |
| Allegiance | Finland |
| Service/branch | Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Continuation War |
Kyösti Karhila (May 2, 1921 – September 16, 2009) was a Finnish World War II fighter ace with 32¼ victories. He was born in Rauma, Finland. He began flying in Lentolaivue 32 and flew later in LeLv 30, LeLv 34 and LeLv 24. He scored 13¼ of his victories with P-36 Hawks and 19 with Bf 109s. After his air force career he flew airliners for Finnair, Aero O/Y and Spearair. He gathered 556 flying hours during the war and 24,000 after the war. He died in Helsinki at the age of 88 as the last of the Finnish fighter aces.
| Date | Own aircraft | Place | Enemy aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 1941 | CU-502 | Jääski | ⅓ balloon |
| August 10, 1941 | CU-567 | Kirvu | ½ Polikarpov I-16 |
| August 13, 1941 | CU-561 | Kirvu | ½ Polikarpov I-153 |
| August 18, 1941 | CU-570 | Sintola | 1 Polikarpov I-153 |
| September 3, 1941 | CU-566 | Kuokkala | 1 Polikarpov I-153 |
| September 17, 1941 | CU-552 | Siestarjoki | 1 MiG-3 |
| September 19, 1941 | CU-560 | Ohalatva | 1 MiG-1 |
| June 15, 1942 | CU-560 | Mergino | 1 Yak-1 |
| June 28, 1942 | CU-560 | Vitele | ½ Pe-2 |
| July 5, 1942 | CU-560 | Sampotuksa | 1 Polikarpov I-16 |
| August 21, 1942 | CU-560 | Lyugovitcha | 1 Polikarpov I-16bis |
| September 29, 1942 | CU-571 | Saarimäki | ½ Pe-2 |
| November 9, 1942 | CU-571 | Mulberskoye | ½ MiG-1 |
| November 9, 1942 | CU-571 | Ylä-Sotkusha | ¼ Pe-2 |
| February 9, 1943 | CU-560 | Saarentaka | 1 Pe-2 |
| February 11, 1943 | CU-560 | Savijärvi | ½ LaGG-3 |
| February 11, 1943 | CU-560 | Novinka | 1 LaGG-3 |
| February 11, 1943 | CU-560 | Malkjärvi | 1 U-2 |
| May 4, 1943 | MT-214 | Ino | 2 LaGG-3 |
| May 21, 1943 | MT-224 | Lavansaari | 1 La-5 |
| July 19, 1943 | MT-224 | Pöytsaari | 1 Pe-2 |
| August 20, 1943 | MT-229 | Seiskari | 1 La-5 |
| May 28, 1944 | MT-403 | Kuusalu, Estonia | 1 Pe-2 |
| June 21, 1944 | MT-405 | Tienhaara | 1 Il-2 |
| June 30, 1944 | MT-436 | Perojoki | 1 Yak-9 |
| July 1, 1944 | MT-461 | Teikarsaari | 1 Il-2 |
| July 3, 1944 | MT-461 | Portinhoikka | 1 Il-2 |
| July 4, 1944 | MT-460 | Vatnouri | 1 P-51 |
| July 5, 1944 | MT-461 | Tuppuransaari | 1 Yak-9 |
| July 7, 1944 | MT-461 | Vatnouri | 1 P-51 |
| July 9, 1944 | MT-461 | Kylä-Paakkola | 1 Il-2 |
| July 10, 1944 | MT-461 | Terhonjärvi | 1 La-5 |
| July 10, 1944 | MT-461 | Uusikylä | 1 Yak-9 |
| July 11, 1944 | MT-461 | Hirvisaari | 1 La-5 |
| July 16, 1944 | MT-460 | Ritasaari | 1 Yak-9 |
| July 18, 1944 | MT-460 | Malkola | 1 La-5 |
| July 18, 1944 | MT-460 | Kylä-Paakkola | 1 La-5 |
| CU = P-36 Hawk, MT = Bf 109 |