Background
Surma was born in Głębocz (present-day it is part of Gołkowice, Silesia), he was son of Franciszek and Tekla born Wodecka.
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Franciszek Surma
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In 1932 he entered the Cadets Corps in Różan, four years later he was admitted to the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. On 15 June 1939 Surma was posted to the Polish 121st Fighter Escadrille in Cracow. After the September Campaign he crossed the border with Romania, then he was evacuated to France via Liban and finally he reached Britain.
After a training in 56 OTU Surma was assigned to the Number.
151 Squadron Royal Air Force with which he took part in the Battle of Britain. On 11 September 1940 He was transferred to the Number.
607 Squadron Royal Air Force, on 26 September he shot down a Bf 109. On 21 October he was ordered to the Number.
257 Squadron Royal Air Force, one week later he damaged a He 111 but was hit himself managing to bale out by parachute.
Since 12 December he served in the Number. 242 Squadron Royal Air Force and finally on 3 March 1941 he arrived in the Number. 308 (Polish) Squadron.
On 11 May 1941 over Great Malvern, his Spitfire was hit and begun to burn.
Surma had to save himself by jumping with a parachute once again. From 22 July to 12 October he downed four Bf 109.
On 8 November escorting bombers near Dunkirk Surma engaged Messerschmidt Bf 109"s, during the fight he broke away from his squadron and never returned. His body was never foundation
He was probably hit by flak.
On 25 May 2002 the school of Gołkowice was named after Franciszek Surma.
