Tito’s Partisan resistance forces member Stjepan Stepo Filipović via Historical Times Tumblr Page.

Captured member of Tito’s Partisan resistance forces in Yugoslavia, Stjepan Stepo Filipović, shouts “Death to fascism, freedom to the people!” before he was hanged by German occuping forces in town of Valjevo, Serbia, 1942

The bravery we see here is unmistakable.  To make that cry for freedom before death indicates balls the size of Mount Olympus.

But I've got to ask an uncomfortable question.  His hands are free.  Why doesn't he fight?  Why doesn't he at least try and grab some bubbas gun and make them pay in blood before he goes to meet his maker?

Does something happen to the human mind when faced with execution?

I ask because I've seen this too many times for it to be a coincidence.  People seemingly submit to their executioners instead of fighting to the very end.

It's weird to me but I've seen it way too many times across the centuries for it to be simply random.  What happens to people that they don't struggle to the end?  Why do they go meekly to their deaths?