Why Admiral Hipper-class cruisers needed such large crews

Why was the crew complement of the Admiral Hipper class so large?

Complex systems and training duties multiplied watchkeeping needs, which in turn required a much larger support organization aboard ship.

The class combined complex systems with a role in training personnel for an expanding navy. A machinery space that needs twice as many people per watch does not add only a handful of sailors; it multiplies staffing across several watches. Those extra technicians then require more medical, catering, accommodation, and maintenance support. The example shows how technical complexity produces cascading personnel and hull-volume costs throughout a warship.