On Kristallnacht (9–10 November 1938), the two last Eßweiler Jewish families’ houses were both invaded and thoroughly vandalized. Shortly thereafter, the village’s three remaining Jewish residents were taken away to the camps (see also below). The village came through the Second World War more or less unscathed; only one building was damaged by an American tank. Nevertheless, according to memorial inscriptions, 51 soldiers from Eßweiler fell in the war. Particularly tragic was an accident that happened in February 1945, when some children and youths found a Panzerfaust left behind by retreating German soldiers and began playing with it. It exploded, killing five children. Several others were wounded, some seriously.