After Mussolini loses power , Italy joins forces with the Allies . The Italians who occupy Greece thus are freed from their duties . After defeating the Italian division , the German soldiers on Cephallonia turn on the Italians , and order a massive execution . Corelli 's life is saved by Carlo Guercio , who shields him with his body when they face execution by firing squad . Guercio dies , and the wounded Corelli is aided by a Greek man back to Pelagia 's house . Corelli has to stay hidden from the German soldiers , whose orders are to kill any surviving Italians . As soon as he is well enough , Corelli escapes to Italy , promising Pelagia that he will return as soon as the war ends and then they will be married . Corelli leaves '' ' Antonia ' '' , his mandolin , with Pelagia for safekeeping . The Germans become brutal , and Dr Iannis is sent to a camp . Mandras returns , indoctrinated with Communist ideologies and having learned to read . He has read Pelagia 's letters and knows that she does not love him , so he tries to rape her . Ashamed , he later commits suicide . Some time after , a baby girl is left on Pelagia 's doorstep , whom Pelagia adopts . Dr Iannis comes home , traumatised . Life goes on in Cephallonia , though interrupted by the 1953 Ionian earthquake , in which Iannis dies . Corelli does not return , though Pelagia is convinced she sees his ghost . The baby girl , whom Pelagia has named '' ' Antonia ' '' , grows up and marries
1953 Ionian earthquake
1953 Ionian earthquake
Captain Corelli's Mandolin